title: Targeted metabolite analysis and biological activity of Pieris brassicae fed with Brassica rapa var. rapa.
abstract: For the first time, an insect-plant system, Pieris brassicae fed with Brassica rapa var. rapa, was tested for its biological capacity, namely, antioxidant (DPPH*, *NO, and O(2)*- radicals) and antimicrobial (bacteria and fungi) activities. Samples from the insect's life cycle (larvae, excrements, exuviae, and butterfly) were always found to be more efficient than the host plant. Also, P. brassicae materials, as well as its host plant, were screened for phenolics and organic acids. The host plant revealed higher amounts of both compounds. Two phenolic acids, ferulic and sinapic, as well as kaempferol 3-Osophoroside, were common to insect (larvae and excrements) and plant materials, with excrements being considerably richer. Detection of sulfated compounds in excrements, absent in host plant, revealed that metabolic processes in this species involved sulfation. Additionally, deacylation and deglycosilation were observed. All matrices presented the same organic acids qualitative profile, with the exception of excrements.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noites
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valentão
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferreres
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vale-Silva
authors.forename: Eugénia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Paula B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Andrade
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D029741:Brassica rapa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D002080:Butterflies / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts