title: Changes in the content of free and conjugated polyamines during Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth.
abstract: Polyamines (PAs) in plant foods are relevant due to the association of these bioactive nutrients with health and disease. The scope of the present study was to monitor the content of free, conjugated, and total (free + conjugated) putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) at five stages of lettuce growth in three different greenhouses. The daily intake of PAs from lettuce consumption was estimated since its consumption represents about 7.2% of vegetables intake. Results showed that the content of free Put, Spd, and Spm decreased during plant growth, while the content of conjugated Put, Spd, and Spm increased. Nevertheless, the total PA content remained fairly constant. Significant differences were observed in the PAs content in lettuces grown in different greenhouses. The conjugated fraction of PAs in mature lettuces has an important contribution to the total PAs and will certainly influence the bioavailability and/or bioactivity of dietary polyamines.
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE/Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Bromatology and Hydrology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto . R Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Isabel M P L V O
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D018545:Lactuca / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011700:Putrescine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013095:Spermidine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013096:Spermine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011073:Polyamines; D013096:Spermine; D013095:Spermidine; D011700:Putrescine
keywords: daily intake; growth; human health; lettuce; polyamines