title: Variability of phenolic content and antioxidant activity of two lettuce varieties under Fe deficiency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fe deficiency affects food growth and quality in calcareous soils. In this study, the effect of Fe deficiency on growth parameters, phenolic content and antioxidant capacities of two lettuce shoots varieties (Romaine and Vista) were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fresh matter production, pigment (chlorophyll and carotenoid) and Fe2+ content were significantly reduced by Fe deficiency in both varieties. However, restriction of these parameters was particularly pronounced in Romaine variety as compared to Vista. Moreover, Fe deficiency caused decreases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and guaiacol peroxidase, whereas ascorbate peroxidase and malondialdehyde concentrations were not significantly affected. On the other hand, Fe deficiency in Vista variety induced an increase in polyphenol and flavonoid content as compared to Romaine variety. In addition, total antioxidant capacity and antiradical test against DPPH radical decreased in leaves of Romaine variety after 15 days of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the higher polyphenol content in Vista variety supports the involvement of these components in the stability of antioxidant capacities and then in its protection against oxidative damage generated by Fe deficiency in lettuce plants.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Physiologie et de Biochimie de la Tolérance au Sel chez les Plantes, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Campus Universitaire, 1060, Tunis, Tunisia. msilininajoua@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Najoua
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Msilini
authors.forename: Samia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oueslati
authors.forename: Thouraya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Amdouni
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chebbi
authors.forename: Riadh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ksouri
authors.forename: Mokhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lachaâl
authors.forename: Zeineb
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ouerghi
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D018545:Lactuca / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins; D044945:Proanthocyanidins
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010940:Plant Proteins; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D007501:Iron