Piper peltatum: biomass and 4-nerolidylcatechol production.
Piper peltatum L. is used for the treatment of inflammation, malaria, and other ailments. 4-Nerolidylcatechol (4-NC) is a valuable natural product that has important anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and antioxidant properties. 4-NC is a component of P. peltatum and P. umbellatum extracts, which are used in cosmetics. The aim of this work was to evaluate the production of plant biomass and the production of 4-NC in roots of cultivated P. peltatum over a full life cycle. Seedlings were produced in a greenhouse and then transplanted. The weight of dry plant parts (leaves, stems, roots, and inflorescences); numbers of stems, leaves, and inflorescences; and the leaf-to-stem ratio were evaluated at intervals of 60 days after transplanting (DAT). Extracts were prepared using 1:1 ethanol-chloroform and an ultrasound bath. Roots, leaves, and inflorescences contained 4-NC according to TLC photodensitometry analysis. Quantification of 4-NC in root extracts was performed using HPLC-DAD analysis. Per-hectare production of 4-NC by roots was estimated based on quantitative HPLC analysis and biomass data. Optimal per-hectare yields of 4-NC were obtained by harvesting roots between 350 and 400 DAT. In this period, the average yield was 27 kg 4-NC per hectare. Importantly, at the time of maximal overall production of root biomass (470 DAT), there was a decrease in the production of 4-NC (23.8 kg/ha), probably due to the onset of senescence.
Pinto
Ana Cristina da Silva
AC
Federal University of Amazonas, Graduate Course in Biotechnology, Manaus, Brazil.
Chaves
Francisco Célio Maia
FC
dos Santos
Pierre Alexandre
PA
Nunez
Cecília Verônica
CV
Tadei
Wanderli Pedro
WP
Pohlit
Adrian Martin
AM
D018533:Biomass; D002396:Catechols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D031701:Piper / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018514:Plant Structures; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
C110583:4-nerolidylcatechol; D002396:Catechols; D010936:Plant Extracts