Biochemical characterization of Euphorbia resinifera floral cyathia
Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
| Veröffentlicht in: | Journal of plant physiology. - 1979. - 293(2024) vom: 10. Feb., Seite 154184 |
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| 1. Verfasser: | |
| Weitere Verfasser: | , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Online-Aufsatz |
| Sprache: | English |
| Veröffentlicht: |
2024
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| Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk: | Journal of plant physiology |
| Schlagworte: | Journal Article African spruce Carotenoids Cyathium pseudo-inflorescence Flavonoids Primary metabolites Volatile organic compounds Plant Nectar Latex Antioxidants mehr... |
| Zusammenfassung: | Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg is a plant endemic to the Northern and Central regions of Morocco known since the ancient Roman and Greek times for secreting a poisonous latex containing resiniferatoxin. However, E. resinifera pseudo-inflorescences called cyathia are devoid of laticifers and, therefore, do not secrete latex. Instead, they exudate nectar that local honey bees collect and craft into honey. Honey and cyathium water extracts find a broad range of applications in the traditional medicine of Northern Africa as ointments and water decoctions. Moreover, E. resinifera monofloral honey has received the Protected Geographic Indication certification for its outstanding qualities. Given the relevance of E. resinifera cyathia for bee nutrition, honey production, and the health benefit of cyathium-derived products, this study aimed to screen metabolites synthesized and accumulated in its pseudo-inflorescences. Our analyses revealed that E. resinifera cyathia accumulate primary metabolites in considerable abundance, including hexoses, amino acids and vitamins that honey bees may collect from nectar and craft into honey. Cyathia also synthesize volatile organic compounds of the class of benzenoids and terpenes, which are emitted by flowers pollinated by honey bees and bumblebees. Many specialized metabolites, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyamines, were also detected, which, while protecting the reproductive organs against abiotic stresses, also confer antioxidant properties to water decoctions. In conclusion, our analyses revealed that E. resinifera cyathia are a great source of antioxidant molecules and a good food source for the local foraging honeybees, revealing the central role of the flowers from this species in mediating interactions with local pollinators and the conferral of medicinal properties to plant extracts |
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| Beschreibung: | Date Completed 23.02.2024 Date Revised 23.02.2024 published: Print-Electronic Citation Status MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1618-1328 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jplph.2024.154184 |