Abstract
In this work, the biological activity of emmer (Triticum turgidum L. spp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Shubler) Thell.) wheatgrass extracts obtained from grains sprouted with distilled water, or salinity (50 mM) or selenium (45 mg L−1 of Na2SeO3), was tested through an experimental biological model based on the germination and cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis of maize pollen grains. The effects of thapsigargin (TG) and of four phenolic acids (PAs: ferulic, coumaric, salicylic and 3-HO benzoic) on maize pollen were also tested as controls. Wheatgrass extracts influenced both pollen cytosolic Ca2+ and germination. The Ca2+ agonist activity of emmer wheatgrass was transient, different from that of TG, which caused a depletion of the stored Ca2+ and a permanent alteration of Ca2+ homeostasis. The results obtained with extracts compared to those obtained with pure PAs suggest that PAs in unconjugated forms, which are known to be well represent in emmer wheatgrass, contribute to the biological activity of extracts. The extent of the biological response of emmer wheatgrass extracts was influenced by emmer sprouting conditions (i.e., distilled water, or salinity or selenium). Maize pollen treated with Se-enriched wheatgrass extracts showed a less perturbed cytosolic Ca2+ and a higher germination rate.
Highlights
Emmer wheatgrass extracts were evaluated for their effects on cytosolic Ca2+ of maize pollen grains ([Ca2+ ]cp ) labeled with the FURA 2AM fluorescent probe
extracted in methanol resuspended methanol (EM-M) was used for subsequent investigations
The Ca2+ agonist activity of emmer wheatgrass was transient, with a signal–response coupling completely different from that of thapsigargin, which caused a depletion of the stored Ca2+ and a permanent alteration of Ca2+ -homeostasis
Summary
Cereal grass (i.e., 1–2-week-old seedlings), generally used to produce juice, has been found to be rich in phenolic compounds and other antioxidants [2,3,4]. This is expected to stand especially for hulled-grain wheat species, e.g., emmer Emmer is mainly cultivated in organic and low input cropping systems, where suboptimal environment and scarce protection make of plant adaptation an indispensable requirement. Phenolic acids (PAs) are highly represented in emmer wheatgrass, with trans-ferulic acid accounting for over 50% of total PAs, followed by p-coumaric acid, salicylic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid and others in different proportions, depending on the cultivar, the germination conditions (e.g., distilled water vs. salinity in the germination substrate) and the growth stage of the seedlings (from 3 to 11 days after sowing) [2,4]
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