title: Characterization of Proanthocyanidins from Seeds of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
abstract: Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) are forage species of the grass family (Poaceae) that are key components of temperate pasture-based agricultural systems. Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are oligomeric flavonoids that, when provided as part of a farm animal's diet, have been reported to improve animal production and health. Up to now, forage grasses have been deemed not to produce PAs. This paper reports for the first time the detection of polymerized PAs in aqueous methanolic extracts of seed tissue of both perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, using LC-MS/MS. We have determined the structure of the PAs to be trans-flavan-3-ol-based, consisting predominately of afzelechin and catechin and linked primarily by B-type bonds. Investigations into the leaf tissue of both species failed to detect any PAs. This discovery opens the possibility of using genetic engineering tools to achieve tannin accumulation in leaf tissue of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue.
authors.affiliation: Forage Improvement, AgResearch Grasslands , Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: Forage Improvement, AgResearch Grasslands , Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Vern
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Collette
authors.affiliation: Forage Improvement, AgResearch Grasslands , Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kerry R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Hancock
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D031751:Festuca / Q000737:chemistry*; D008129:Lolium / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D058105:Polymerization; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D044945:Proanthocyanidins
keywords: Festuca arundinacea; LC-MS/MS; Lolium perenne; afzelechin; condensed tannins; electrospray mass spectrometry; forage grasses; oligomers; perennial ryegrass; proanthocyanidin; procyanidins; propelargonidins; tall fescue