title: Iron deficiency enhances bioactive phenolics in lemon juice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to describe the phenolic status of lemon juice obtained from fruits of lemon trees differing in iron (Fe) nutritional status. Three types of Fe(III) compound were used in the experiment, namely a synthetic chelate and two complexes derived from natural polymers of humic and lignine nature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three Fe(III) compounds were able to improve the Fe nutritional status of lemon trees, though to different degrees. This Fe(III) compound effect led to changes in the polyphenol content of lemon juice. Total phenolics were decreased (∼33% average decrease) and, in particular, flavanones, flavones and flavonols were affected similarly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iron-deficient trees showed higher phenolic contents than Fe(III) compound-treated trees, though Fe deficiency had negative effects on the yield and visual quality of fruits. However, from a human nutritional point of view and owing to the health-beneficial properties of their bioavailable phenolic compounds, the nutritional quality of fruits of Fe-deficient lemon trees in terms of phenolics was higher than that of fruits of Fe(III) compound-treated lemon trees. Moreover, diosmetin-6,8-di-C-glucoside in lemon juice can be used as a marker for correction of Fe deficiency in lemon trees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Irrigation, CEBAS-CSIC, PO Box 164, E-30100 Espinardo (Murcia), Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Mellisho
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González-Barrio
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferreres
authors.forename: María F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ortuño
authors.forename: Wenceslao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Conejero
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torrecillas
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Mina
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil-Izquierdo
mesh_terms: D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000378:metabolism; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000191:economics; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D005960:Glucosides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis / Q000191:economics; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D016573:Agrochemicals; D002934:Cinnamates; D005419:Flavonoids; D005960:Glucosides; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D002734:Chlorophyll; D007501:Iron; C039602:diosmetin