Non-chlorophyllous and crypto-chlorophyllous fern spores differ in their mobilisation of fatty acids during priming.

During fern spore germination, lipid hydrolysis primarily provides the energy to activate their metabolism. In this research, fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic) were quantified in the spores exposed or not to priming (hydration-dehydration treatments). Five fern species were investigated, two from xerophilous shrubland and three from a cloud forest. We hypothesised that during the priming hydration phase, the fatty acids profile would change in concentration, depending on the spore type (non-chlorophyllous and crypto-chlorophyllous). The fatty acid concentration was determined by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Chlorophyll in spores was vizualised by epifluorescence microscopy and quantified by high-resolution liquid chromatography with a DAD-UV/Vis detector. Considering all five species and all the treatments, the oleic acid was the most catabolised. After priming, we identified two patterns in the fatty acid metabolism: (1) in non-chlorophyllous species, oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids were catabolised during imbibition and (2) in crypto-chlorophyllous species, these fatty acids increased in concentration. These patterns suggest that crypto-chlorophyllous spores with homoiochlorophylly (chlorophyll retained after drying) might not require the assembly of new photosynthetic apparatus during dark imbibition. Thus, these spores might require less energy from pre-existing lipids and less fatty acids as 'building blocks' for cell membranes than non-chlorophyllous spores, which require de novo synthesis and structuring of the photosynthetic apparatus.

Identification of Secondary Metabolites of Interest in Pleurotus djamor Using Agave tequilana Bagasse.

Agro-industrial residues represent more than 60% of organic wastes worldwide, which could be used to generate other by-products or to be incorporated into other production chains. For example, bagasse is a waste from the tequila industry in Mexico that could be implemented for mushroom cultivation. Additionally, the substrate influences the growth, development, and production of secondary metabolites of fungi. This work presents a comparative experiment that studies the metabolite production in Pleurotus djamor mushrooms on agave bagasse and barley straw (traditional substrate). The biological efficiency (BE), yield, phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, tannins, and the identification of low molecular weight metabolites were evaluated. Five treatments were proposed according to the following mixtures of agave bagasse: barley straw: T1 (1:0), T2 (3:1), T3 (1:1), T4 (1:3), and T5 (0:1). T2 had the highest yield (13.39 ± 3.23%), BE (56.7 ± 13.71%), and flavonoids (44.25 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g); T3 obtained the highest phenol content (230.27 mg GAE/g); and T1 the highest tannins content (0.23 mg (+) catechin equivalent (CE)/g). Finally, T1 and T5 are the ones that present the greatest number of primary metabolites, including hydroxycitric acid, 2-deoxy-D-galactose, D-mannose, paromomycin, palmitic acid, pyrrole, mannitol, and DL arabinose, while in T2, T3, and T4 only two chemical compounds were found present (palmitic acid and pyrrole in T2, silicic acid and pyrrole in T3 and 2-deoxy-D-galactose and quinoline in T4). The cultivation substrate influences the concentration of bioactive molecules in the fruiting bodies of P. djamor. Additionally, P. djamor's degradation of agave bagasse residue generates a potential application for agro-industrial residue management at a low cost.

Palmitic acid control of ciliogenesis modulates insulin signaling in hypothalamic neurons through an autophagy-dependent mechanism.

Palmitic acid (PA) is significantly increased in the hypothalamus of mice, when fed chronically with a high-fat diet (HFD). PA impairs insulin signaling in hypothalamic neurons, by a mechanism dependent on autophagy, a process of lysosomal-mediated degradation of cytoplasmic material. In addition, previous work shows a crosstalk between autophagy and the primary cilium (hereafter cilium), an antenna-like structure on the cell surface that acts as a signaling platform for the cell. Ciliopathies, human diseases characterized by cilia dysfunction, manifest, type 2 diabetes, among other features, suggesting a role of the cilium in insulin signaling. Cilium depletion in hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons triggers obesity and insulin resistance in mice, the same phenotype as mice deficient in autophagy in POMC neurons. Here we investigated the effect of chronic consumption of HFD on cilia; and our results indicate that chronic feeding with HFD reduces the percentage of cilia in hypothalamic POMC neurons. This effect may be due to an increased amount of PA, as treatment with this saturated fatty acid in vitro reduces the percentage of ciliated cells and cilia length in hypothalamic neurons. Importantly, the same effect of cilia depletion was obtained following chemical and genetic inhibition of autophagy, indicating autophagy is required for ciliogenesis. We further demonstrate a role for the cilium in insulin sensitivity, as cilium loss in hypothalamic neuronal cells disrupts insulin signaling and insulin-dependent glucose uptake, an effect that correlates with the ciliary localization of the insulin receptor (IR). Consistently, increased percentage of ciliated hypothalamic neuronal cells promotes insulin signaling, even when cells are exposed to PA. Altogether, our results indicate that, in hypothalamic neurons, impairment of autophagy, either by PA exposure, chemical or genetic manipulation, cause cilia loss that impairs insulin sensitivity.

Integrated Metabolomics and Lipidomics Reveal High Accumulation of Glycerophospholipids in Human Astrocytes under the Lipotoxic Effect of Palmitic Acid and Tibolone Protection.

Lipotoxicity is a metabolic condition resulting from the accumulation of free fatty acids in non-adipose tissues which involves a series of pathological responses triggered after chronic exposure to high levels of fatty acids, severely detrimental to cellular homeostasis and viability. In brain, lipotoxicity affects both neurons and other cell types, notably astrocytes, leading to neurodegenerative processes, such as Alzheimer (AD) and Parkinson diseases (PD). In this study, we performed for the first time, a whole lipidomic characterization of Normal Human Astrocytes cultures exposed to toxic concentrations of palmitic acid and the protective compound tibolone, to establish and identify the set of potential metabolites that are modulated under these experimental treatments. The study covered 3843 features involved in the exo- and endo-metabolome extracts obtained from astrocytes with the mentioned treatments. Through multivariate statistical analysis such as PCA (principal component analysis), partial least squares (PLS-DA), clustering analysis, and machine learning enrichment analysis, it was possible to determine the specific metabolites that were affected by palmitic acid insult, such as phosphoethanolamines, phosphoserines phosphocholines and glycerophosphocholines, with their respective metabolic pathways impact. Moreover, our results suggest the importance of tibolone in the generation of neuroprotective metabolites by astrocytes and may be relevant to the development of neurodegenerative processes.

Lipid excess affects chaperone-mediated autophagy in hypothalamus.

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. Overweight and obesity directly affect health-related quality of life and also have an important economic impact on healthcare systems. In experimental models, obesity leads to hypothalamic inflammation and loss of metabolic homeostasis. It is known that macroautophagy is decreased in the hypothalamus of obese mice but the role of chaperone-mediated autophagy is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of hypothalamic chaperone-mediated autophagy in response to high-fat diet and also the direct effect of palmitate on hypothalamic neurons. Mice received chow or high-fat diet for 3 days or 1 week. At the end of the experimental protocol, chaperone-mediated autophagy in hypothalamus was investigated, as well as cytokines expression. In other set of experiments, neuronal cell lines were treated with palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid. We show that chaperone-mediated autophagy is differently regulated in response to high-fat diet intake for 3 days or 1 week. Also, when hypothalamic neurons are directly exposed to palmitate there is activation of chaperone-mediated autophagy. High-fat diet causes hypothalamic inflammation concomitantly to changes in the content of chaperone-mediated autophagy machinery. It remains to be studied the direct role of inflammation and lipids itself on the activation of chaperone-mediated autophagy in the hypothalamus in vivo and also the neuronal implications of chaperone-mediated autophagy inhibition in response to obesity.

Tibolone Ameliorates the Lipotoxic Effect of Palmitic Acid in Normal Human Astrocytes.

Lipotoxicity is a pathological condition resulting from the excessive accumulation of fatty acids, like palmitic acid (PA), within the cell. This pathological phenomenon induces deleterious metabolic changes in cells and is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Recent evidence has demonstrated that tibolone, a synthetic steroid, protects cellular damage through various mechanisms; but its underlying actions upon lipotoxic damage are unknown. In this study, we assessed the effects of tibolone administration on normal human astrocytes subject to supraphysiological levels of palmitic acid as a model to induce cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrated that tibolone attenuated lipotoxic damage of PA in normal human astrocytes by reducing PI uptake in 53%, prevented cardiolipin loss by 17%, reduced fragmented/condensed nuclei by 50.81% and attenuated the production of superoxide ions by around 20%. In conclusion, these data suggest that protective effects of tibolone against lipotoxicity may be mediated, in part, through modulation of the different cellular mechanisms of astrocytes.

Apoptotic germ cells regulate Sertoli cell lipid storage and fatty acid oxidation.

The presence of lipid droplets (LD) and the utilization of fatty acids (FA) as a source of energy are Sertoli cell (SC) putative characteristics. It is well known that SCs can phagocyte and degrade apoptotic germ cells (AGC) resulting in increasing lipid content and ATP levels. A relationship between the regulation of lipid storage and of lipid oxidation in SC might be envisaged. The aim of this study was to analyze whether AGC and FA are able to simultaneously regulate molecular mechanisms involved in lipid storage and in FA oxidation in SC. The experimental model utilized in this study consisted in SC cultures obtained from 20-day-old rats that were co-cultured with AGC or treated with palmitic acid (PA, 500 µM) for 24 and 48 h. AGC and PA increase LD, triacylglycerol (TAG) content and mRNA levels of Plin1, Plin2, Plin3 (proteins involved in TAG storage). Simultaneously, AGC and PA rise the extent of FA oxidation and mRNA levels of Cpt1 and Lcad (proteins involved in FA degradation). Results also show that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) transcriptional activity, transcription factor which participate in lipid metabolism regulation, increases by AGC and PA treatment in SC. Additionally, the presence of a PPARg antagonist decreases the upregulation of LD content and Plin1 expression. Similarly, the presence of a PPARb/d antagonist reduces the increase in FA oxidation and Cpt1 mRNA levels. Altogether these results suggest that AGC and FA, which probably generate PPAR ligands, regulate lipid storage and fatty acid utilization, contributing to the energy homeostasis in the seminiferous tubules.

Metabolic flexibility to lipid availability during exercise is enhanced in individuals with high insulin sensitivity.

Metabolic flexibility to lipid (MetFlex-lip) is the capacity to adapt lipid oxidation to lipid availability. Hypothetically, impaired MetFlex-lip in skeletal muscle induces accumulation of lipid metabolites that interfere with insulin signaling. Our aim was to compare MetFlex-lip during exercise in subjects with low (Low_IS) vs. high (High_IS) insulin sensitivity. Twenty healthy men were designated as Low_IS or High_IS on the basis of the median of the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index. Groups had similar age, body mass index, and maximum oxygen uptake (V̇o2max). Subjects cycled at 50% V̇o2max until expending 650 kcal. Adaptation in lipid oxidation was calculated as the drop in respiratory quotient (RQ) at the end of exercise vs. the maximum RQ (ΔRQ). Lipid availability was calculated as the increase in circulating nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) at the end of exercise vs. the minimum NEFA (ΔNEFA). ΔRQ as a function of ΔNEFA was used to determine MetFlex-lip. On average, RQ and circulating NEFA changed similarly in both groups. However, ΔRQ correlated with ΔNEFA in High_IS ( r = -0.83, P < 0.01) but not in Low_IS ( r = -0.25, P = 0.48) subjects. Thus the slope of the ΔRQ vs. ΔNEFA relationship was steeper in High_IS vs. Low_IS subjects (-0.139 ± 0.03 vs. -0.025 ± 0.03 RQ·mmol-1·l-1, respectively; P < 0.05), with similar intercepts. We conclude that in subjects with High_IS lipid-to-carbohydrate oxidation ratio adapts to the increased circulating NEFA availability during exercise. Such MetFlex-lip appears impaired in subjects with Low_IS. Whether a cause-effect relationship exists between impaired MetFlex-lip and low insulin sensitivity remains to be determined.

High α-tocopherol dosing increases lipid metabolism by changing redox state in damaged rat gastric mucosa and liver after ethanol treatment.

Regeneration of ethanol-injured rat gastric mucosa must undergo changes in major metabolic pathways to achieve DNA replication and cell proliferation. These events are highly dependent on glucose utilization and inhibited by vitamin E (VE) (α-tocopherol) administration. Therefore, the present study aimed at assessing lipid metabolism in the gastric mucosa and ethanol-induced gastric damage and the effect of α-tocopherol administration. For this, rates of fatty acid ß-oxidation and lipogenesis were tested in gastric mucosa samples. Through histological analysis, we found loss of the mucosa's superficial epithelium, which became gradually normalized during the recovery period. Proliferation of gastric mucosa occurred with augmented formation of ß-oxidation by-products, diminished synthesis of triacylglycerols (TGs), as well as of phospholipids, and a reduced cytoplasmic NAD/NADH ratio, whereas the mitochondrial redox NAD/NADH ratio was much less affected. In addition, α-tocopherol increased palmitic acid utilization in the gastric mucosa, which was accompanied by the induction of 'mirror image' effects on the cell redox state, reflected in an inhibited cell gastric mucosa proliferation by the vitamin administration. In conclusion, the present study shows, for the first time, the role of lipid metabolism in the adaptive cell gastric mucosa changes that drive proliferation after a chronic insult. Moreover, α-tocopherol increased gastric mucosa utilization of palmitic acid associated with energy production. These events could be associated with its antioxidant properties in co-ordination with regulation of genes and cell pathways, including changes in the cell NAD/NADH redox state.

Waste Soybean Oil and Corn Steep Liquor as Economic Substrates for Bioemulsifier and Biodiesel Production by Candida lipolytica UCP 0998.

Almost all oleaginous microorganisms are available for biodiesel production, and for the mechanism of oil accumulation, which is what makes a microbial approach economically competitive. This study investigated the potential that the yeast Candida lipolytica UCP0988, in an anamorphous state, has to produce simultaneously a bioemulsifier and to accumulate lipids using inexpensive and alternative substrates. Cultivation was carried out using waste soybean oil and corn steep liquor in accordance with 2² experimental designs with 1% inoculums (107 cells/mL). The bioemulsifier was produced in the cell-free metabolic liquid in the late exponential phase (96 h), at Assay 4 (corn steep liquor 5% and waste soybean oil 8%), with 6.704 UEA, IE24 of 96.66%, and showed an anionic profile. The emulsion formed consisted of compact small and stable droplets (size 0.2-5 µm), stable at all temperatures, at pH 2 and 4, and 2% salinity, and showed an ability to remove 93.74% of diesel oil from sand. The displacement oil (ODA) showed 45.34 cm² of dispersion (central point of the factorial design). The biomass obtained from Assay 4 was able to accumulate lipids of 0.425 g/g biomass (corresponding to 42.5%), which consisted of Palmitic acid (28.4%), Stearic acid (7.7%), Oleic acid (42.8%), Linoleic acid (19.0%), and γ-Linolenic acid (2.1%). The results showed the ability of C. lipopytica to produce both bioemulsifier and biodiesel using the metabolic conversion of waste soybean oil and corn steep liquor, which are economic renewable sources.

A sexually dimorphic hypothalamic response to chronic high-fat diet consumption.

In this review, we discuss the observations that, following chronic high-fat diet (HFD) exposure, male mice have higher levels of saturated fatty acids (FAs) and total sphingolipids, whereas lower amounts of polyunsaturated FAs in the central nervous system (CNS) than females. Furthermore, males, when compared with female mice, have higher levels of inflammatory markers in the hypothalamus following exposure to HFD. The increase in markers of inflammation in male mice is possibly due to the reductions in proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), which is not recapitulated in female mice. Consistently, hypothalamic inflammation is induced both in male and female ERα total-body knockout mice when exposed to a HFD, thus confirming the key role of ERα in the regulation of HFD-induced hypothalamic inflammation. Finally, the HFD-induced depletion of hypothalamic ERα is associated with dysregulation in metabolic homeostasis, as evidenced by reductions in glucose tolerance and decrements in myocardial function.

Impact of caffeine on ß cell proliferation and apoptosis under the influence of palmitic acid.

We examined the influence of caffeine on the proliferation and apoptosis of ß cells cultured in vitro in the presence of the free fatty acid palmitic acid (PA). Different concentrations of caffeine (1-100 mM) and free fatty PA were added to cultured ß cells. The MTT assay was used to analyze cell proliferative activity; flow cytometry was used to measure apoptosis and calculate the apoptosis rate. Compared with the blank control group, cells cultured with 500 mM PA for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h showed inhibition of pancreatic ß cell proliferative activity. In the 10 and 25 mM caffeine groups cultured for 48, 72, and 96 h, ß cell proliferative activity was much higher than that in the 500 mM PA group. The apoptosis rate in the 500 mM PA group was 40.55 ± 20.33%, which was higher than that in the blank control group. The apoptosis rates in the 10 and 25 mM caffeine group and the PA group were 19.12 ± 10.56 and 20.97 ± 9.75%, respectively, which was lower than that in the 500 mM PA group. At some concentrations, caffeine can improve free fatty PA levels and guide pancreatic ß cell proliferation inhibition and cell apoptosis.

Lipophorin Drives Lipid Incorporation and Metabolism in Insect Trypanosomatids.

Insect trypanosomatids are inhabitants of the insect digestive tract. These parasites can be either monoxenous or dixenous. Plant trypanosomatids are known as insect trypanosomatids once they and are transmitted by phytophagous insects. Such parasites can be found in latex, phloem, fruits and seeds of many plant families. Infections caused by these pathogens are a major cause of serious economic losses. Studies by independent groups have demonstrated the metabolic flow of lipids from the vertebrate host to trypanosomatids. This mechanism is usually present when parasites possess an incomplete de novo lipid biosynthesis pathway. Here, we show that both insect trypanosomatids Phytomonas françai and Leptomonas wallacei incorporate (3)H-palmitic acid and inorganic phosphate. These molecules are used for lipid biosynthesis. Moreover, we have isolated the main hemolymphatic lipoprotein, Lipophorin (Lp) from Oncopeltus fasciatus, the natural insect vector of such parasites. Both parasites were able to incorporate Lp to be utilized both as a lipid and protein source for their metabolism. Also, we have observed the presence of Lp binding sites in the membrane of a parasite. In conclusion, we believe that the elucidation of trypanosomatid metabolic pathways will lead to a better understanding of parasite-host interactions and the identification of novel potential chemotherapy targets.

Expression of genes related to tolerance to low temperature for maize seed germination.

The aim of this study was to characterize maize lines tolerant to cold temperatures during the germination process. Seeds from lines with different levels of tolerance to low temperatures were used; 3 lines were classified as tolerant and 3 as susceptible to low germination temperatures. A field was set up to multiply seeds from selected lines. After the seeds were harvested and classified, we conducted physiological tests and analyzed fatty acid content of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and eicosenoic acids. In proteomic analysis, the expression of heat-resistant proteins, including catalase, peroxidase, esterase, superoxide dismutase, and α-amylase, were evaluated. Transcript analysis was used to measure the expression of the genes AOX1, AOX2, ZmMPK-17, and ZmAN-13. The material showing the highest susceptibility to low germination temperatures contained high saturated fatty acid content. Expression of α-amylase in seeds soaked for 72 h at a temperature of 10°C was lower than expression of α-amylase when soaked at 25°C for the same amount of time. We observed variation in the expression of heat-resistant proteins in seeds of the lines evaluated. The genes AOX and Zm-AN13 were promising for use in identifying maize materials that are tolerant to low germination temperatures.

The activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ is regulated by Krüppel-like transcription factors 6 & 9 under steatotic conditions.

Liver steatosis is characterised by lipid droplet deposition in hepatocytes that can leads to an inflammatory and fibrotic phenotype. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play key roles in energetic homeostasis by regulating lipid metabolism in hepatic tissue. In adipose tissue PPARγ regulates the adipocyte differentiation by promoting the expression of lipid-associated genes. Within the liver PPARγ is up-regulated under steatotic conditions; however, which transcription factors participate in its expression is not completely understood. Krüppel-like transcription factors (KLFs) regulate various cellular mechanisms, such as cell proliferation and differentiation. KLFs are key components of adipogenesis by regulating the expression of PPARγ and other proteins such as the C-terminal enhancer binding protein (C/EBP). Here, we demonstrate that the transcript levels of Klf6, Klf9 and Pparγ are increased in response to a steatotic insult in vitro. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIp) experiments showed that klf6 and klf9 are actively recruited to the Pparγ promoter region under these conditions. Accordingly, the loss-of-function experiments reduced cytoplasmic triglyceride accumulation. Here, we demonstrated that KLF6 and KLF9 proteins directly regulate PPARγ expression under steatotic conditions.

Hypothalamic PGC-1α protects against high-fat diet exposure by regulating ERα.

High-fat diets (HFDs) lead to obesity and inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). Estrogens and estrogen receptor α (ERα) protect premenopausal females from the metabolic complications of inflammation and obesity-related disease. Here, we demonstrate that hypothalamic PGC-1α regulates ERα and inflammation in vivo. HFD significantly increased palmitic acid (PA) and sphingolipids in the CNS of male mice when compared to female mice. PA, in vitro, and HFD, in vivo, reduced PGC-1α and ERα in hypothalamic neurons and astrocytes of male mice and promoted inflammation. PGC-1α depletion with ERα overexpression significantly inhibited PA-induced inflammation, confirming that ERα is a critical determinant of the anti-inflammatory response. Physiologic relevance of ERα-regulated inflammation was demonstrated by reduced myocardial function in male, but not female, mice following chronic HFD exposure. Our findings show that HFD/PA reduces PGC-1α and ERα, promoting inflammation and decrements in myocardial function in a sex-specific way.

Biomass, lipid content, and fatty acid composition of freshwater Chlamydomonas mexicana and Scenedesmus obliquus grown under salt stress.

Two freshwater microalgae including Chlamydomonas mexicana and Scenedesmus obliquus were grown on Bold Basal Medium (BBM) with different levels of salinity up to 100 mM NaCl. The dry biomass and lipid content of microalgae were improved as the concentration of NaCl increased from 0 to 25 mM. Highest dry weight (0.8 and 0.65 g/L) and lipid content (37 and 34 %) of C. mexicana and S. obliquus, respectively, were obtained in BBM amended with 25 mM NaCl. The fatty acid composition of the investigated species was also improved by the increased NaCl concentration. At 50 mM, NaCl palmitic acid (35 %) and linoleic acid (41 %) were the dominant fatty acids in C. mexicana, while oleic acid (41 %) and α-linolenic acid (20 %) were the major fractions found in S. obliquus.

Identification of intracellular peptides in rat adipose tissue: Insights into insulin resistance.

Intracellular peptides generated by the proteasome and oligopeptidases have been suggested to function in signal transduction and to improve insulin resistance in mice fed a high-caloric diet. The aim of this study was to identify specific intracellular peptides in the adipose tissue of Wistar rats that could be associated with the physiological and therapeutic control of glucose uptake. Using semiquantitative mass spectrometry and LC/MS/MS analyses, we identified ten peptides in the epididymal adipose tissue of the Wistar rats; three of these peptides were present at increased levels in rats that were fed a high-caloric Western diet (WD) compared with rats fed a control diet (CD). The results of affinity chromatography suggested that in the cytoplasm of epididymal adipose tissue from either WD or CD rats, distinctive proteins bind to these peptides. However, despite the observed increase in the WD animals, the evaluated peptides increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with palmitate. Thus, intracellular peptides from the adipose tissue of Wistar rats can bind to specific proteins and facilitate insulin-induced glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Chemical composition fluctuations in roots of Plumbago scandens L. in relation to floral development.

Plumbago scandens L. is a Brazilian tropical/subtropical species that occurs along the coast. Chemically it is mainly represented by naphthoquinones, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids. The aim of the present work is to study quantitative changes in the root metabolic production of Plumbago scandens during different physiologic developmental stages relative to floration. The results indicated the presence of four substances in the extracts: plumbagin, epi-isoshinanolone, palmitic acid and sitosterol, independent on developmental stage. The naphthoquinone plumbagin has always showed to be the major component of all extracts. Naphthoquinones exhibited their highest content during floration, while the content of the two others components decreased during this stage, revealing an inverse profile. The chemical composition changed depending on the plant requirements.

Chemical composition fluctuations in roots of Plumbago scandens L. in relation to floral development

Plumbago scandens L. is a Brazilian tropical/subtropical species that occurs along the coast. Chemically it is mainly represented by naphthoquinones, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids. The aim of the present work is to study quantitative changes in the root metabolic production of Plumbago scandens during different physiologic developmental stages relative to floration. The results indicated the presence of four substances in the extracts: plumbagin, epi-isoshinanolone, palmitic acid and sitosterol, independent on developmental stage. The naphthoquinone plumbagin has always showed to be the major component of all extracts. Naphthoquinones exhibited their highest content during floration, while the content of the two others components decreased during this stage, revealing an inverse profile. The chemical composition changed depending on the plant requirements.

Plumbago scandens L. é uma espécie brasileira tropical/subtropical que ocorre ao longo da costa. Quimicamente, é principalmente representada por naftoquinonas, flavonóides, terpenóides e esteróides. objetivo do presente trabalho é estudar mudanças quantitativas da produção metabólica nas raízes de Plumbago scandens durante diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento fisiológico, relativos à floração. Os resultados indicaram a presença de quatro substâncias nos extratos: plumbagina, epi-isoshinanolona, ácido palmítico e sitosterol, independente do estágio de desenvolvimento. A naftoquinona plumbagina tem sempre mostrado ser o componente majoritário de todos os extratos. Naftoquinonas exibiram seus maiores conteúdos durante a floração, enquanto o conteúdo dos dois outros componentes decresceu durante este estágio, revelando um perfil inverso. A composição química modificou dependendo das necessidades da planta.