Polyphenols in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) leaves induced by plant activators

J Agric Food Chem. 2014 May 21;62(20):4592-600. doi: 10.1021/jf405589f. Epub 2014 May 13.

Abstract

Strawberry leaves contain high amounts of diverse phenolic compounds potentially possessing defensive activities against microbial pathogens and beneficial properties for human health. In this work, young strawberry plants were treated with two plant activators, S-methylbenzo-1,2,3-thaidiazole-7-carbothiate (BTH) and birch wood distillate. Phenolic compounds from activator-treated and control leaves were subjected to quantitative analyses by HPLC-DAD, HPLC-ESI-MS, and microQTOF ESI-MS. Thirty-two different phenolic compounds were detected and characterized, and 21 different ellagitannins constituted the largest group of compounds in the strawberry leaves (37.88-45.82 mg/g dry weight, 47.0-54.3% of total phenolics). Treatment with BTH resulted in higher levels of individual ellagitannins, whereas treatment with birch wood distillate strongly increased the levels of chlorogenic acid in strawberry leaves compared with the control. The results suggest that different plant activators may be useful tools for the activation of different branches in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in strawberry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agrochemicals / pharmacology*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Fragaria / chemistry*
  • Fragaria / drug effects*
  • Fragaria / metabolism
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Plant Leaves / drug effects
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Polyphenols / analysis*
  • Polyphenols / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Agrochemicals
  • Polyphenols