Phytochemical study of Vernonia ferruginea: alelopathic and metabolomic approaches

Author(s)

Carita Liberato do Amaral

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Jaboticabal. 2017-04-17.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Jaboticabal
• Defense date: 2017-02-20
• Advisor: Pedro Luís da Costa Aguiar Alves; Fernando Batista da Costa; Marcelo Claro de Souza

Abstract

The environmental conditions, as well as the seasonal contrast in the Cerrado phytophysiognomies between the dry and wet seasons, contribute to the diversified synthesis and selection of secondary metabolites in plants. Secondary metabolites act as a chemical interface between plants and the environment, so their synthesis can be commonly altered by environmental conditions. Factors such as temperature, water availability, luminosity, soil characteristics, nutrients and pollution act directly on the production and release of these compounds. Soil microorganisms can transform the released toxic compounds, deactivating them or giving rise to even more toxic compounds, as these compounds can alter the characteristics and attributes of the soil when present in adequate amounts. Among the native plants of the Cerrado, the species Vernonia ferruginea, an aggressive pasture weed, stands out, with indications of production of compounds with toxic potential. Thus, this research was developed to verify the toxic activity of V. ferruginea and if the change of some characteristics such as water availability, soil type, light conditions and aluminum concentration in the soil influence the production of these compounds. For this, plants of V. ferruginea were developed on different conditions for later extraction and / or fractionation of the vegetal material for verification of biological activity by means of bioassays and identification of chemical groups. Considering the results of the parameters of germinability and development of the tested species it is possible to inquire about the possibility of V. ferruginea being able to release toxic substances, since direct consequences of the presence of these compounds in the extracts were verified in the bioassay, such as: The inhibition / reduction of seed germination, injury or necrosis in the root system and reduction of the development and accumulation of dry mass of the seedlings. The results also provide evidence that some interactions of the species with changes in their developmental conditions cause biosynthetic pathway deviations of metabolites modifying and / or potentiating their phytotoxic capacity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/25298-0 - Alleopathics studies of Vernonia polyanthes: phytochemical and metabolomic approaches
• Grantee: Carita Liberato do Amaral
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate