Synthesis of Phenolics and Flavonoids in Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and Their Effects on Photosynthesis Rate
Open Access
- 14 November 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Vol. 11 (11), 4539-4555
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms11114539
Abstract
The relationship between phenolics and flavonoids synthesis/accumulation and photosynthesis rate was investigated for two Malaysian ginger (Zingiber officinale) varieties grown under four levels of glasshouse light intensity, namely 310, 460, 630 and 790 μmol m−2s−1. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to identify and quantify the polyphenolic components. The results of HPLC analysis indicated that synthesis and partitioning of quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin and naringenin were high in plants grown under 310 µmol m−2s−1. The average value of flavonoids synthesis in leaves for both varieties increased (Halia Bentong 26.1%; Halia Bara 19.5%) when light intensity decreased. Photosynthetic rate and plant biomass increased in both varieties with increasing light intensity. More specifically, a high photosynthesis rate (12.25 µmol CO2 m−2s−1 in Halia Bara) and plant biomass (79.47 g in Halia Bentong) were observed at 790 µmol m−2s−1. Furthermore, plants with the lowest rate of photosynthesis had highest flavonoids content. Previous studies have shown that quercetin inhibits and salicylic acid induces the electron transport rate in photosynthesis photosystems. In the current study, quercetin was an abundant flavonoid in both ginger varieties. Moreover, higher concentration of quercetin (1.12 mg/g dry weight) was found in Halia Bara leaves grown under 310 µmol m−2s−1 with a low photosynthesis rate. Furthermore, a high content of salicylic acid (0.673 mg/g dry weight) was detected in Halia Bara leaves exposed under 790 µmol m−2s−1 with a high photosynthesis rate. No salicylic acid was detected in gingers grown under 310 µmol m−2s−1. Ginger is a semi-shade loving plant that does not require high light intensity for photosynthesis. Different photosynthesis rates at different light intensities may be related to the absence or presence of some flavonoid and phenolic compounds.Keywords
This publication has 41 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effect of Different Light Intensities on Total Phenolics and Flavonoids Synthesis and Anti-oxidant Activities in Young Ginger Varieties (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2010
- Identification and Concentration of Some Flavonoid Components in Malaysian Young Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Varieties by a High Performance Liquid Chromatography MethodMolecules, 2010
- Effect of Extraction Solvent/Technique on the Antioxidant Activity of Selected Medicinal Plant ExtractsMolecules, 2009
- Antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibition properties of leaves and rhizomes of ginger speciesFood Chemistry, 2008
- Effects of shade nettings, sowing time and storage on baby spinach flavonoidsJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2007
- Quantitation of bioactive compounds in citrus fruits cultivated in TaiwanFood Chemistry, 2006
- Screening for Antioxidant Activity in Edible Plant Products: Comparison of Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation Assay, DPPH Radical Scavenging Assay, and Folin−Ciocalteu AssayJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2004
- Within‐canopy variation in the rate of development of photosynthetic capacity is proportional to integrated quantum flux density in temperate deciduous treesPlant, Cell & Environment, 2004
- Light-induced variation in phenolic levels in foliage of rain-forest plantsJournal of Chemical Ecology, 1988
- Factors affecting levels of some phenolic compounds, digestibility, and nitrogen content of the mature leaves ofBarteria fistulosa (Passifloraceae)Journal of Chemical Ecology, 1984