Molecular Mechanisms of Tannin Accumulation in Rhus Galls And

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Molecular Mechanisms of Tannin Accumulation in Rhus Galls And www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Molecular mechanisms of tannin accumulation in Rhus galls and genes involved in plant-insect Received: 20 November 2017 Accepted: 11 June 2018 interactions Published: xx xx xxxx Hang Chen 1,2, Juan Liu1, Kai Cui1, Qin Lu1, Chao Wang1,3, Haixia Wu1, Zixiang Yang1, Weifeng Ding 1, Shuxia Shao1, Haiying Wang1, Xiaofei Ling1, Kirst King-Jones4 & Xiaoming Chen1,2 For galling aphids and their hosts, tannins are crucial for plant-insect interactions and for protecting the host plant from herbivory. Due to their peculiar chemical characteristics, tannins from plant galls have been used for medical and chemical purposes for more than 2000 years. In this study, hydrolyzable tannin concentrations in galls increased from gall initiation (38.34% on June 21) to maturation (74.79% on August 8), then decreased gradually thereafter (58.83% on October 12). We identifed a total of 81 genes (named as GTS1-81) with putative roles in gallotannin biosynthesis and 22 genes (TS1-22) in condensed tannin biosynthesis. We determined the expression profles of these genes by real-time PCR over the course of gall development. Multiple genes encoding 1-beta-D-glucosyl transferases were identifed, which may play a vital role in gallotannin accumulation in plant galls. This study is the frst attempt to examine the molecular basis for the regulation of tannin accumulation in insect gallnuts. The diferentially expressed genes we identifed may play important roles in both tannin biosynthesis and plant-insect interactions. Plants and insects have co-existed for more than 350 million years1, and in their interactions both have evolved strategies to overcome each other’s defense systems2,3. Many insect species induce the formation of galls on various plant tissues. Te aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis (Bell) is a tiny insect of the Pemphigidae family (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea). It feeds on the adaxial surface of winged rachides and induces the formation of large, single-chambered galls, called horned galls, on R. chinensis4. Te galls have been used for medical and chemical applications as a source of tannic, gallic, and pyrogallic acids for more than 2,000 years. It has been reported that there are at least 15,000 tons of tannin demands in diferent industrial felds including leatherworking, textile printing and mineral separation each year around the world (Fig. S1). And the whole value of industry related to tannins has added up to 30 billion dollars annually5–8. Tannins are astringent, polyphenolic compounds that bind to and precipitate proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. Tannins occur widely in various plant tissues, where they play crucial roles in protecting plants from herbivory, and in regulating plant growth9. Most tannins have molecular weights from 500 to over 3,000 (gallic acid esters) Da, but some can reach up to 20,000 (proanthocya- nidins) (Fig. S2)10,11. Plant tannins are divided into hydrolyzable tannins and favonoid-derived, condensed tan- nins, which are also called proanthocyanidins. Condensed tannins are produced through the shikimate pathway leading to the production of anthocyanins, a pathway that has been investigated intensively at biochemical and genetic levels (Fig. S2)12–14. Te current understanding is that anthocyanins and the other favonoid classes are derived from earlier intermediates in the anthocyanin pathway15–17. Hydrolysable tannins are derivatives of gallic acids. Te simplest hydrolysable tannins, the gallotannins, are simple polygalloyl esters of glucose18. Te prototypical gallotannin is pentagalloyl glucose, and has fve identical 1Research Institute of Resource Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China. 2The Key Laboratory of Cultivating and Utilization of Resources Insects, State Forestry Administration, Kunming, China. 3Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan, China. 4Department of Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to H.C. (email: [email protected]) or X.C. (email: [email protected]) SCIENTIFIC REPORTS | (2018) 8:9841 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-28153-y 1 www.nature.com/scientificreports/ Figure 1. Changes in tannin concentrations in galls and leaves over the course of gallnut growth. (A) Te fundatrix feeds on the winged rachides and initiates gall formation, the arrow pointing the location of early stage of gall on the leaf; (B) hundreds of aphids inside horned gall stimulating the gall growing constantly, the arrow pointing the individual aphid; (C) the change trend of two kinds of tannin contents in gall and in leaves with the growth of gallnut. Te horizontal coordinates are the dry weight percentage of tannins; the vertical coordinates are diferent developmental stage of gallnut from June 21 to October 12. ester linkages that involve aliphatic hydroxyl groups of the core sugar (Fig. S2). Te biosynthetic pathways of hydrolyzable tannins include the biosynthesis of three intermediates, pentagalloylglucoses, gallotannins, and ellagitannins19. Schlechtendalia chinensis is an insect with a complex life cycle that includes the development of gall-dwelling colonies on its host R. chinensis. In early spring in China, sexuparae migrate from the moss to the trunk of R. chinensis tree to produce sexually reproductive females and males that subsequently mate to produce fundatrices. A fundatrix feeds on the winged rachides of R. chinensis and then initiates gall formation (Fig. 1A,B)20,21. Afer a horned gall matures and dehisces in autumn, the alate fundatrigeniae migrate from the gall to the moss, its over-wintering host22. Although the biological characteristics of R. chinensis and its herbivore S. chinensis have been examined by dif- ferent labs over the years23,24, at present, there are no genomic resources available for R. chinensis. A better under- standing of the molecular underpinnings for tannin biosynthesis would potentially beneft the tannin industry, which is currently hampered by the lack of information available on transcriptional, proteomic, and genetic anal- yses of R. chinensis. Next generation sequencing technologies have proven to be a rapid and cost-efective means for analyzing the genome and transcriptome of non-model species25–27. Our long-term goal is to identify genes with functions in the biosynthesis of tannins and to modify these genes genetically to increase the efciency of tannin production. Te specifc objective of this study was to generate a transcriptome that provides a foundation for future studies leading to a better understanding ofwhy tannin accumulation occurs so rapidly in galls growing on R. chinensis and the co-evolution trends between insects and their host plants. Results Accumulation of tannins in horned galls and leaves. To determine the best time for sample collection for transcriptomic analyses, we measured gallotannin concentrations in galls and leaves throughout an entire season (June through October). Gallotannin concentrations in galls were nearly doubled in the frst six weeks, from 38.34% on June 21 to 74.79% of dry gallnut weight on August 8. Afer that, gallotannin concentrations grad- ually decreased to 58.83% of dry gallnut weight over the next ten weeks (Fig. 1C, Table S1). Te concentrations of gallotannin in leaf samples were considerably lower compared to those in gallnuts. Still, there was a signifcant increase in gallotanninin leaves during the process of gall initiation to maturation. On June 21, at the beginning of gallnut formation, the gallotannin abundance in leaves was only 2.79% of dry weight (Table S2), which was then nearly doubled to 4.90% by August 8. Afer the peak, a gradual decrease was observed during the September- October period, reaching 3.13% of dry weight on October 12 (Fig. 1C). Te abundance of condensed tannins exhibited a fuctuating pattern. Te initial level of condensed tannins in galls was 0.70%, which then decreased to 0.32% by August 8. Afer that, a gradual increase to 0.39% was observed on August 28, followed by a drop to 0.32% again on September 24. On October 12, the abundance increased to 1.92% (Fig. 1C, Table S3). Diferent from gallotannins, the abundance of condensed tannins was much higher in leaf samples than in gallnuts. Te accumulation of condensed tannins was fast in the frst two months, from 5.78% of dry leaf weight on June 21 to 12.50% on August 8. Afer that condensed tannin abundance gradually tapered of to 6.47% on August 28, followed by an increase to 11.34% towards the end of the season (Fig. 1C, Table S4). SCIENTIFIC REPORTS | (2018) 8:9841 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-28153-y 2 www.nature.com/scientificreports/ Database Numbers of Unigene Percent (%) Nr 36,153 60.74% Nt 31,128 52.30% Swiss-Prot 24,856 41.76% KEGG 21,880 36.76% COG 14,409 24.21% GO 28,491 47.87% Table 1. Annotation result statistics in diferent databases. De novo transcriptome assembly and annotation. Te Illumina sequencing data of R. chinensis gen- erated 86,156,236 raw reads covering a total of 7,203,025,980 nucleotides (nt) from 15 libraries (fve time points and three diferent types of tissues). Afer removing adapter sequences, ambiguous nucleotides and low-quality sequences, 80,033,622 clean reads were retained. Te average length of reads was 486 nt. Te clean reads were assembled into 59,522 unigenes with average length 889 and N50 1675 nt. Te size statistics of assembled uni- genes were shown in Supplementary Information: Tables S5, S6, and Fig. S3. We annotated gene function of all unigenes based on common databases, including the NCBI database Non-redundant protein sequences (Nr), NCBI nucleotide sequences (Nt), the manually annotated and curated protein sequence database (Swiss-Prot), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Ortholog database (KEGG), Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COG) and Gene Ontology (GO) databases. Annotation results of unigenes are shown in Table 1. A total of 36,153 unigenes (60.74% of all unigenes) returned above-cutof BLAST (E value < 10−5) results when searched against the Nr nucleotide database.
Recommended publications
  • Flavonoid-Modifying Capabilities of the Human Gut Microbiome—An in Silico Study
    nutrients Article Flavonoid-Modifying Capabilities of the Human Gut Microbiome—An In Silico Study Tobias Goris 1,* , Rafael R. C. Cuadrat 2 and Annett Braune 1 1 Research Group Intestinal Microbiology, Department of Molecular Toxicology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; [email protected] 2 Department of Molecular Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Flavonoids are a major group of dietary plant polyphenols and have a positive health impact, but their modification and degradation in the human gut is still widely unknown. Due to the rise of metagenome data of the human gut microbiome and the assembly of hundreds of thousands of bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), large-scale screening for potential flavonoid-modifying enzymes of human gut bacteria is now feasible. With sequences of characterized flavonoid-transforming enzymes as queries, the Unified Human Gastrointestinal Protein catalog was analyzed and genes encoding putative flavonoid-modifying enzymes were quantified. The results revealed that flavonoid-modifying enzymes are often encoded in gut bacteria hitherto not considered to modify flavonoids. The enzymes for the physiologically important daidzein-to-equol conversion, well studied in Slackia isoflavoniconvertens, were encoded only to a minor extent in Slackia MAGs, but were more abundant in Adlercreutzia equolifaciens and an uncharacterized Eggerthellaceae species. In addition, enzymes with a sequence identity of about 35% were encoded in highly abundant MAGs of uncultivated Collinsella species, which suggests a hitherto uncharacterized daidzein-to-equol potential in these bacteria.
    [Show full text]
  • Mangifera Indica) Cultivars from the Colombian Caribbean
    Vol. 11(7), pp. 144-152, 17 February, 2017 DOI: 10.5897/JMPR2017.6335 Article Number: 94A673D62820 ISSN 1996-0875 Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Copyright © 2017 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR Full Length Research Paper Mangiferin content, carotenoids, tannins and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of six mango (Mangifera indica) cultivars from the Colombian Caribbean Marcela Morales1, Santiago Zapata1, Tania R. Jaimes1, Stephania Rosales1, Andrés F. Alzate1, Maria Elena Maldonado2, Pedro Zamorano3 and Benjamín A. Rojano1* 1Laboratorio Ciencia de los Alimentos, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia. 2Escuela de nutrición, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. 3Graduate School, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile. Received 18 January, 2017; Accepted 13 February, 2017 Mango is one of the tropical fruits of greater production and consumption in the world, and a rich source of bioactive compounds, with various functional properties such as antioxidant activity. In Colombia, mango’s market is very broad and diverse. However, there are very few studies that determined the content of bioactive secondary metabolites. The objective of this study was to evaluated the content of different metabolites like Mangiferin, carotenoids, tannins, and the antioxidant capacity by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methodology of six cultivars from the Colombian Caribbean region, with total carotenoid values ranging from 24.67 to 196.15 mg of β-carotene/100 g dry pulp; 84.30 to 161.49 mg Catequine eq./100 g dry pulp for the content of condensed tannins, and 91.80 to 259.23 mg/100 g dry pulp for mangiferin content.
    [Show full text]
  • L.) Leaves Tao Jiang1,3, Kunyuan Guo2,3, Lingdi Liu1, Wei Tian1, Xiaoliang Xie1, Saiqun Wen1 & Chunxiu Wen1*
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic data reveal the favonoid biosynthesis metabolic pathway in Perilla frutescens (L.) leaves Tao Jiang1,3, Kunyuan Guo2,3, Lingdi Liu1, Wei Tian1, Xiaoliang Xie1, Saiqun Wen1 & Chunxiu Wen1* Perilla frutescens (L.) is an important medicinal and edible plant in China with nutritional and medical uses. The extract from leaves of Perilla frutescens contains favonoids and volatile oils, which are mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptomic and metabolomic data of the leaves of two Perilla frutescens varieties: JIZI 1 and JIZI 2. A total of 9277 diferentially expressed genes and 223 favonoid metabolites were identifed in these varieties. Chrysoeriol, apigenin, malvidin, cyanidin, kaempferol, and their derivatives were abundant in the leaves of Perilla frutescens, which were more than 70% of total favonoid contents. A total of 77 unigenes encoding 15 enzymes were identifed as candidate genes involved in favonoid biosynthesis in the leaves of Perilla frutescens. High expression of the CHS gene enhances the accumulation of favonoids in the leaves of Perilla frutescens. Our results provide valuable information on the favonoid metabolites and candidate genes involved in the favonoid biosynthesis pathways in the leaves of Perilla frutescens. Perilla frutescens (L.), which is a self-compatible annual herb, belongs to the family Lamiaceae. Tis species has been widely cultivated in China, Japan, and Korea for centuries. Perilla frutescens is an important medicinal and edible plant in China with medical and nutritional uses 1. Its leaves can be utilized as a transitional medicinal herb, as a vegetable, and as a spice, and its seeds can be processed into foods and nutritional edible oils 2.
    [Show full text]
  • (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0161919 A1 Thangavel Et Al
    US 2014O161919A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0161919 A1 Thangavel et al. (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 12, 2014 (54) PLANT PARTS AND EXTRACTS HAVING Publication Classification ANTICOCCDAL ACTIVITY (51) Int. C. (71) Applicant: Kemin Industries, Inc., Des Moines, IA A61E36/49 (2006.01) (US) A61E36/85 (2006.01) A61E36/22 (2006.01) (72) Inventors: Gokila Thangavel, Hosur (IN); (52) U.S. C. Rajalekshmi Mukkalil, Cochin (IN); CPC ................. A61K 36/49 (2013.01); A61K 36/22 Haridasan Chirakkal, Nolambur (IN); (2013.01); A61K 36/185 (2013.01) Hannah Kurian, Benson Town (IN) USPC ........................................... 424/769; 424/725 (21) Appl. No.: 13/928,504 (57) ABSTRACT (22) Filed: Jun. 27, 2013 Natural plant parts and extracts of plants selected from the Related U.S. Application Data group consisting of Quercus infectoria, Rhus chinensis and (60) Provisional application No. 61/664,795, filed on Jun. Terminalia chebula containing compounds such as gallic 27, 2012. acid, derivative of gallic acid, gallotannins and hydrolysable tannins have been found to control coccidiosis in poultry and, (30) Foreign Application Priority Data more specifically, coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp. The plant parts and natural extracts result in a reduction of lesion Jan. 23, 2013 (IN) ............................. 177/DELA2013 score, oocysts per gram of fecal matter and mortality. Patent Application Publication Jun. 12, 2014 Sheet 1 of 14 US 2014/O161919 A1 Positive control S Negative control Positive Control Quercus infectoria Patent Application Publication Jun. 12, 2014 Sheet 2 of 14 US 2014/O161919 A1 as a 3. Q3 is niecifia FIG. 3 3 9.
    [Show full text]
  • RNA-Sequencing Analysis Reveals Betalains Metabolism in the Leaf of Amaranthus Tricolor L
    RESEARCH ARTICLE RNA-sequencing analysis reveals betalains metabolism in the leaf of Amaranthus tricolor L. Shengcai Liu1☯, Xueli Zheng1☯, Junfei Pan1, Liyun Peng1, Chunzhen Cheng1, Xiao Wang1, 1 1 1 1,2 1 Chunli Zhao , Zihao Zhang , Yuling Lin , Xu XuHan *, Zhongxiong LaiID * 1 Institute of Horticultural Biotechnology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China, 2 Institut de la Recherche Interdisciplinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France ☯ These authors contributed equally to this work. * [email protected](ZL); [email protected] (XXH) a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 Abstract a1111111111 Amaranth plants contain large amounts of betalains, including betaxanthins and betacya- nins. Amaranthin is a betacyanin, and its molecular structure and associated metabolic pathway differ from those of betanin in beet plants. The chlorophyll, carotenoid, betalain, and flavonoid contents in amaranth leaves were analyzed. The abundance of betalain, beta- OPEN ACCESS cyanin, and betaxanthin was 2±5-fold higher in the red leaf sectors than in the green leaf Citation: Liu S, Zheng X, Pan J, Peng L, Cheng C, sectors. Moreover, a transcriptome database was constructed for the red and green sectors Wang X, et al. (2019) RNA-sequencing analysis of amaranth leaves harvested from 30-day-old seedlings. 22 unigenes were selected to ana- reveals betalains metabolism in the leaf of Amaranthus tricolor L.. PLoS ONE 14(4): lyze the expression profiles in the two leaf sectors. The RNA-sequencing data indicated that e0216001. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. many unigenes are involved in betalain metabolic pathways. The potential relationships pone.0216001 between diverse metabolic pathways and betalain metabolism were analyzed.
    [Show full text]
  • Medicinal Practices of Sacred Natural Sites: a Socio-Religious Approach for Successful Implementation of Primary
    Medicinal practices of sacred natural sites: a socio-religious approach for successful implementation of primary healthcare services Rajasri Ray and Avik Ray Review Correspondence Abstract Rajasri Ray*, Avik Ray Centre for studies in Ethnobiology, Biodiversity and Background: Sacred groves are model systems that Sustainability (CEiBa), Malda - 732103, West have the potential to contribute to rural healthcare Bengal, India owing to their medicinal floral diversity and strong social acceptance. *Corresponding Author: Rajasri Ray; [email protected] Methods: We examined this idea employing ethnomedicinal plants and their application Ethnobotany Research & Applications documented from sacred groves across India. A total 20:34 (2020) of 65 published documents were shortlisted for the Key words: AYUSH; Ethnomedicine; Medicinal plant; preparation of database and statistical analysis. Sacred grove; Spatial fidelity; Tropical diseases Standard ethnobotanical indices and mapping were used to capture the current trend. Background Results: A total of 1247 species from 152 families Human-nature interaction has been long entwined in has been documented for use against eighteen the history of humanity. Apart from deriving natural categories of diseases common in tropical and sub- resources, humans have a deep rooted tradition of tropical landscapes. Though the reported species venerating nature which is extensively observed are clustered around a few widely distributed across continents (Verschuuren 2010). The tradition families, 71% of them are uniquely represented from has attracted attention of researchers and policy- any single biogeographic region. The use of multiple makers for its impact on local ecological and socio- species in treating an ailment, high use value of the economic dynamics. Ethnomedicine that emanated popular plants, and cross-community similarity in from this tradition, deals health issues with nature- disease treatment reflects rich community wisdom to derived resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Gallnuts: a Potential Treasure in Anticancer Drug Discovery
    Hindawi Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2018, Article ID 4930371, 9 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4930371 Review Article Gallnuts: A Potential Treasure in Anticancer Drug Discovery Jiayu Gao ,1 Xiao Yang ,2 Weiping Yin ,1 and Ming Li3 1 School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Henan University of Scientifc and Technology, Henan, China 2School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Scientifc and Technology, Henan, China 3Luoyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, Luoyang, Henan, China Correspondence should be addressed to Jiayu Gao; [email protected] Received 8 September 2017; Revised 17 February 2018; Accepted 21 February 2018; Published 29 March 2018 Academic Editor: Chris Zaslawski Copyright © 2018 Jiayu Gao et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Introduction. In the discovery of more potent and selective anticancer drugs, the research continually expands and explores new bioactive metabolites coming from diferent natural sources. Gallnuts are a group of very special natural products formed through parasitic interaction between plants and insects. Tough it has been traditionally used as a source of drugs for the treatment of cancerous diseases in traditional and folk medicinal systems through centuries, the anticancer properties of gallnuts are barely systematically reviewed. Objective. To evidence the traditional uses and phytochemicals and pharmacological mechanisms in anticancer aspects of gallnuts, a literature review was performed. Materials and Methods. Te systematic review approach consisted of searching web-based scientifc databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct.
    [Show full text]
  • Combinatorial Biosynthesis of Non-Bacterial and Unnatural Flavonoids, Stilbenoids and Curcuminoids by Microorganisms Sueharu Horinouchi
    J. Antibiot. 61(12): 709–728, 2008 THE JOURNAL OF REVIEW ARTICLE ANTIBIOTICS Combinatorial Biosynthesis of Non-bacterial and Unnatural Flavonoids, Stilbenoids and Curcuminoids by Microorganisms Sueharu Horinouchi Received: August 1, 2008 / Accepted: October 14, 2008 © Japan Antibiotics Research Association Abstract One of the approaches of combinatorial biosynthesis is combining genes from different organisms and designing a new set of gene clusters to produce bioactive compounds, leading to diversification of both chemical and natural product libraries. This makes efficient use of the potential of the host organisms, especially when microorganisms are used. An Escherichia coli system, in which artificial biosynthetic pathways for production of plant-specific medicinal polyketides, such as flavonoids, stilbenoids, isoflavonoids, and curcuminoids, are assembled, has been designed and expressed. Starting with amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine as substrates, this system yields naringenin, resveratrol, genistein, and curcumin, for example, all of which are beneficial to human health because of their wide variety of biological activities. Supplementation of unnatural carboxylic acids to the recombinant E. coli cells carrying the artificial pathways by precursor-directed biosynthesis results in production of unnatural compounds. Addition of decorating or modification enzymes to the artificial pathway leads to production of natural and unnatural flavonols, flavones, and methylated resveratrols. This microbial system is promising for construction of larger libraries by employing other polyketide synthases and decorating enzymes of various origins. In addition, the concept of building and expressing artificial biosynthetic pathways for production of non-bacterial and unnatural compounds in microorganisms should be successfully applied to production of not only plant-specific polyketides but also many other useful compound classes.
    [Show full text]
  • Plant Phenolics: Bioavailability As a Key Determinant of Their Potential Health-Promoting Applications
    antioxidants Review Plant Phenolics: Bioavailability as a Key Determinant of Their Potential Health-Promoting Applications Patricia Cosme , Ana B. Rodríguez, Javier Espino * and María Garrido * Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; [email protected] (P.C.); [email protected] (A.B.R.) * Correspondence: [email protected] (J.E.); [email protected] (M.G.); Tel.: +34-92-428-9796 (J.E. & M.G.) Received: 22 October 2020; Accepted: 7 December 2020; Published: 12 December 2020 Abstract: Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites widely spread throughout the plant kingdom that can be categorized as flavonoids and non-flavonoids. Interest in phenolic compounds has dramatically increased during the last decade due to their biological effects and promising therapeutic applications. In this review, we discuss the importance of phenolic compounds’ bioavailability to accomplish their physiological functions, and highlight main factors affecting such parameter throughout metabolism of phenolics, from absorption to excretion. Besides, we give an updated overview of the health benefits of phenolic compounds, which are mainly linked to both their direct (e.g., free-radical scavenging ability) and indirect (e.g., by stimulating activity of antioxidant enzymes) antioxidant properties. Such antioxidant actions reportedly help them to prevent chronic and oxidative stress-related disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. Last, we comment on development of cutting-edge delivery systems intended to improve bioavailability and enhance stability of phenolic compounds in the human body. Keywords: antioxidant activity; bioavailability; flavonoids; health benefits; phenolic compounds 1. Introduction Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites widely spread throughout the plant kingdom with around 8000 different phenolic structures [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Antioxidant Rich Extracts of Terminalia Ferdinandiana Inhibit the Growth of Foodborne Bacteria
    foods Article Antioxidant Rich Extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana Inhibit the Growth of Foodborne Bacteria Saleha Akter 1 , Michael E. Netzel 1, Ujang Tinggi 2, Simone A. Osborne 3, Mary T. Fletcher 1 and Yasmina Sultanbawa 1,* 1 Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, 39 Kessels Rd, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia 2 Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, 39 Kessels Rd, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia 3 CSIRO Agriculture and Food, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +617-344-32471 Received: 26 June 2019; Accepted: 20 July 2019; Published: 24 July 2019 Abstract: Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) is a native Australian plant containing phytochemicals with antioxidant capacity. In the search for alternatives to synthetic preservatives, antioxidants from plants and herbs are increasingly being investigated for the preservation of food. In this study, extracts were prepared from Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit, leaves, seedcoats, and bark using different solvents. Hydrolysable and condensed tannin contents in the extracts were determined, as well as antioxidant capacity, by measuring the total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging activity using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Total phenolic content was higher in the fruits and barks with methanol extracts, containing the highest TPC, hydrolysable tannins, and DPPH-free radical scavenging capacity (12.2 2.8 g/100 g dry weight ± (DW), 55 2 mg/100 g DW, and 93% respectively). Saponins and condensed tannins were highest in ± bark extracts (7.0 0.2 and 6.5 0.7 g/100 g DW).
    [Show full text]
  • Global Transcriptome Analysis and Identification of Genes Involved In
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Global transcriptome analysis and identification of genes involved in nutrients accumulation during Received: 19 December 2016 Accepted: 31 August 2017 seed development of rice tartary Published: xx xx xxxx buckwheat (Fagopyrum Tararicum) Juan Huang1, Jiao Deng1, Taoxiong Shi1, Qijiao Chen1, Chenggang Liang1, Ziye Meng1, Liwei Zhu1, Yan Wang1, Fengli Zhao2, Shizhou Yu3 & Qingfu Chen1 Tartary buckwheat seeds are rich in various nutrients, such as storage proteins, starch, and flavonoids. To get a good knowledge of the transcriptome dynamics and gene regulatory mechanism during the process of seed development and nutrients accumulation, we performed a comprehensive global transcriptome analysis using rice tartary buckwheat seeds at different development stages, namely pre-filling stage, filling stage, and mature stage. 24 819 expressed genes, including 108 specifically expressed genes, and 11 676 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. qRT-PCR analysis was performed on 34 DEGs to validate the transcriptome data, and a good consistence was obtained. Based on their expression patterns, the identified DEGs were classified to eight clusters, and the enriched GO items in each cluster were analyzed. In addition, 633 DEGs related to plant hormones were identified. Furthermore, genes in the biosynthesis pathway of nutrients accumulation were analyzed, including 10, 20, and 23 DEGs corresponding to the biosynthesis of seed storage proteins, flavonoids, and starch, respectively. This is the first transcriptome analysis during seed development of tartary buckwheat. It would provide us a comprehensive understanding of the complex transcriptome dynamics during seed development and gene regulatory mechanism of nutrients accumulation. Seed is the primary storage organ in plants for storing nutrients such as starch, lipids, and proteins1.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparison of Metabolome and Transcriptome of Flavonoid
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences Article Comparison of Metabolome and Transcriptome of Flavonoid Biosynthesis Pathway in a Purple-Leaf Tea Germplasm Jinmingzao and a Green-Leaf Tea Germplasm Huangdan reveals Their Relationship with Genetic Mechanisms of Color Formation Xuejin Chen, Pengjie Wang, Yucheng Zheng, Mengya Gu, Xinying Lin, Shuyan Wang, Shan Jin * and Naixing Ye * College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University/Key Laboratory of Tea Science in University of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China; [email protected] (X.C.); [email protected] (P.W.); [email protected] (Y.Z.); [email protected] (M.G.); [email protected] (X.L.); [email protected] (S.W.) * Correspondence: [email protected] (S.J.); [email protected] (N.Y.) Received: 4 May 2020; Accepted: 7 June 2020; Published: 11 June 2020 Abstract: Purple-leaf tea is a phenotype with unique color because of its high anthocyanin content. The special flavor of purple-leaf tea is highly different from that of green-leaf tea, and its main ingredient is also of economic value. To probe the genetic mechanism of the phenotypic characteristics of tea leaf color, we conducted widely targeted metabolic and transcriptomic profiling. The metabolites in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway of purple- and green-leaf tea were compared, and results showed that phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, accumulated in purple-leaf tea. The high expression of genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis (e.g., PAL and LAR) exhibits the specific expression of biosynthesis and the accumulation of these metabolites. Our result also shows that two CsUFGTs were positively related to the accumulation of anthocyanin.
    [Show full text]