Coronilla varia L. nitrotoxins as defensive secondary metabolite against heavy metals pollution

Abstract

Nitrotoxins or nitroglycosides are aliphatic nitro compounds, which chemically or structurally glucose esters of nitropropionic acid and nitropropanol, which were detected in some legumes (Papilionoideae). They are important due to mammalian toxicities; attraction of pollinators or seed disperses repulsion or inhibition of herbivores and microorganisms and has a role in plant defense [1]. In this study six weeks aged grown Coronilla varia L. plants in equal growth condition were treated with different concentrations of Zn and Ni for 24 and 72h. The Qualitative test and quantitative determination for aliphatic nitro toxins of control and treated plants examined was done [2, 3]. Increasing nitrotoxins concentration ranging from 4–25mg NO2mg g-1plant in all treated plants were observed in compared to control (1–4mg NO2mg g-1plant). This study showed nitro compounds may have a protective defensive role against some environmental stresses such as heavy metals pollution [4, 5].