Ρ-coumaric Acid Research Articles

Effects of relative air humidity on the phenolic compounds contents and coloration in the ‘Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) peel

To investigate the effects of relative air humidity (AH) on ‘Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) peel phenolic compounds and pigment coloration, the bagged fruits were bags moved and then exposed to high AH and low AH conditions, respectively. Cyanidin-3-galactoside, the main anthocyanin compound in apple, and 17 other types of phenolic compounds were detected and their concentrations were also compared between high and low AH treated apple peels. We observed that the removal of bags and subsequent re-exposure to sunlight could significantly decrease the concentrations of syringic acid, caffeic acid, ρ-coumaric acid, and quercetin-3-rhamnoside, but increase the concentrations of ferulic acid, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside, and cyanidin-3-galactoside. Furthermore, high AH samples had higher concentrations of chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, epicatechin, quercetin-3-rutinoside, and cyanidin-3-galactoside than low AH samples as they were in the similar temperature conditions. These results suggested that high AH conditions could significantly improve coloration and the eating quality of fruits.

Evaluation of In-vitro Antioxidant Activity of Seagrasses: Signals for Potential Alternate Source

Background and Aim: Natural antioxidants have gained unique attention in recent years. Because of the carcinogenicity of synthetic compounds, there is a dearth for antioxidants from natural origin. Currently, seagrasses, the marine plants have gained attention for their secondary metabolites. Hence, the present study aims to examine in vitro antioxidant activity of both leaf and rhizome extracts of six seagrass species and has not yet been investigated. Methods: Crude methanolic extracts of leaf and rhizome obtained, were evaluated for total phenolic contents using Folin-Ciocalteaus method. Antioxidant potential of seagrass extracts were evaluated using total antioxidant activity, DPPH, FRAP, ABTS assay, H2O2 and NO2 scavenging assay and the phenolic compounds present in potent extracts were profiled by HPLC. Results: Maximum phenolic content and antioxidant activity was exhibited by leaf and rhizome extracts of C. rotundata followed by H. uninervis. Higher DPPH radical scavenging activity was found in leaf (78.84 ± 0.87) and rhizome extracts (75.480 ± 0.97) of C. rotundata and the lowest scavenging activity was found in the leaf and rhizome extracts of H. ovata (12.01 ± 0.63 and 5.769 ± 1.14). Among six species, C. rotundata exhibited higher radical scavenging activity containing the potential phenolic compounds. Conclusion: Present study portrays that leaf and rhizome extracts of C. rotundata acts as a potential source of antioxidant compounds with predominant presence of caffeic acid and ρ-coumaric acid that paves a way for the application of these compounds in both food and pharmaceutical industries as a multipotent antioxidant.

Degradation of phenolic compounds by the lignocellulose deconstructing thermoacidophilic bacterium Alicyclobacillus Acidocaldarius.

Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, a thermoacidophilic bacterium, has a repertoire of thermo- and acid-stable enzymes that deconstruct lignocellulosic compounds. The work presented here describes the ability of A. acidocaldarius to reduce the concentration of the phenolic compounds: phenol, ferulic acid, ρ-coumaric acid and sinapinic acid during growth conditions. The extent and rate of the removal of these compounds were significantly increased by the presence of micro-molar copper concentrations, suggesting activity by copper oxidases that have been identified in the genome of A. acidocaldarius. Substrate removal kinetics was first order for phenol, ferulic acid, ρ-coumaric acid and sinapinic acid in the presence of 50μM copper sulfate. In addition, laccase enzyme assays of cellular protein fractions suggested significant activity on a lignin analog between the temperatures of 45 and 90°C. This work shows the potential for A. acidocaldarius to degrade phenolic compounds, demonstrating potential relevance to biofuel production and other industrial processes.

Značaj polifenola iz žitarica u ljudskoj ishrani

Polyphenol compounds make the most present group of antioxidants in food, plant species, as well as products obtained by processing them. Damaging of important biomacromolecules in human body occurs under the oxidative stress conditions which can lead to developing of many degenerative diseases. Polyphenol compounds, due to their specific structure and mode of action, perform the modulation effects of oxidants, and thus reduce oxidative damage to these macromolecules. The majority of phenolics in the cereal's grains are bounded with some carbohydrates or proteins. The health benefits of consuming grains and their products (due to their unique phytochemicals composition), are proven in numerous medical studies. Grains intake in the daily diet is a prevention against the occurrence of many chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and others. Also, this type of food shows anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect. Among the grains, maize possesses the greatest antioxidant activity (especially colored hybrids), wheat and oats. Numerous studies have shown that red, purple and blue maize pigment possesses antimutagenic activity, and also performs the inhibition of colorectal carcinogenesis. Polyphenols from white maize-ferulic and ρ-coumaric acids with their derivatives exhibit particularly strong antioxidant and anticancer effect. Considering that the most part of total amount of the polyphenols are concentrated in the outer layers of cereal grains, it is preferred to consume whole grains compared to refined cereal's grains.

Phenolic profile, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of second grade date extract from Tunisian cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

The present study aimed to investigate the phenolic profile of second grade date extracts and evaluate their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities with regard to some pathogenic microorganisms. Phenolic content was analyzed by HPLC. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar disk diffusion method, and in vitro cytotoxic activity was examined by cell proliferation assay. The results revealed that second grade dates presented three benzoic acids, five cinnamic acids and two flavonoids, with the predominance of ρ-coumaric acid (1998.80μg/100g). The antimicrobial activities showed that the date extracts were active against Gram (+) and Gram (−) bacteria, showing marked activity against Escherichia coli with an inhibition zone of 25mm. Cytotoxicity assays showed that the date extracts were able to inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cell lines. The results confirmed that the date extracts were rich in biologically active compounds that are highly valued in the functional food and nutraceutical industries.

Postharvest UV-C treatment increases bioactive, ester volatile compounds and a putative allergenic protein in strawberry

UV-C treatment applied during postharvest to control fruit decay has been shown to interfere with several aspects of fruit quality. In this study, strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa Duch., cv ‘Aromas’) harvested at the 75% red stage of ripening were treated with UV-C (4.35 kJ m−2) and postharvest compounds indicative of quality, as well as related gene transcripts, were measured. UV-C effect in two allergenic proteins was also evaluated. After treatment, fruit was stored for six days at 20 ± 2 °C and 80 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). UV-C treated fruit maintained flesh firmness and showed lower pectate lyase transcript accumulation than control fruit. UV-C treatment increased total anthocyanin and phenolic compounds, including gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, ρ-coumaric acid, quercetin and (+)-catechin. UV-C treatment also increased l-galactose dehydrogenase, l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase and alcohol acetyl transferase transcript accumulation, and resulted in strawberries with higher l-ascorbic acid content and higher volatile compound production. In conclusion, UV-C treatment induces a variety of changes in the strawberry primarily via gene activation, resulting in firmer fruit with higher levels of bioactive molecules, as well as a stronger aroma. However, UV-C also induced accumulation of the putatively allergenic protein Fra a1.

UV-C radiation modifies the ripening and accumulation of ethylene response factor (ERF) transcripts in tomato fruit

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation is used as a postharvest treatment to prolong the shelf life of fruit. However, this stressful process may also affect ethylene production and, consequently, the expression of genes encoding ethylene response factors (ERFs). To test this hypothesis, MicroTom tomatoes harvested at the breaker stage were subjected to: 1 – application of 3.7kJm−2 UV-C radiation, 2 – application of 2μLL−1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) followed by UV-C radiation; and 3 – without 1-MCP or UV-C (control treatment). After treatment all fruit were stored for 12d at 21±2°C and 80±5% relative humidity (RH). Although UV-C radiation increased ACC oxidase transcripts and stimulated ethylene production, the ripening evolution was delayed. Fruit treated with UV-C showed lower accumulation of lycopene, β-carotene, lutein+zeaxanthin and δ-tocopherol; but retained higher levels of chlorogenic acid, ρ-coumaric acid and quercetin after 6d. Additionally, UV-C treated fruit had higher contents of polyamines (putrescine and spermidine). Among the 14 ERFs studied, 11 (Sl-ERF A.1, Sl-ERF A.3, Sl-ERF B.1, Sl-ERF B.2, Sl-ERF B.3, Sl-ERF C.6, Sl-ERF D.1, Sl-ERF D.3, Sl-ERF E.1, Sl-ERF F.5, Sl-ERF G.2) exhibited increased transcript accumulation, 2 ERFs (Sl-ERF E.2 and Sl-ERF E.4) showed decreased transcript accumulation and only 1 ERF (Sl-ERF E.3) was not significantly affected by UV-C treatment. As expected, the transcript profiles of 1-MCP and/or UV-C-treated tomatoes demonstrate that ethylene plays an important role in the expression of ERFs. The delay in fruit ripening may be caused by the activation of ERFs that could act as regulators of metabolic pathways during ripening. However, this hypothesis needs to be better tested. In conclusion, a relationship has been established between UV-C treatment and ripening delay, correlated to changes in 13 ERF transcripts evaluated during postharvest treatment.

고압처리가 발아벼의 항산화 성분과 활성에 미치는 영향

본 연구에서는 발아기간 및 고압처리 시간에 따른 항산화 성분 및 항산화 활성을 조사함으로써 발아벼의 항산화 활성에 미치는 고압처리공정의 효과에 대해 연구하였다. 발아기간은 6일까지로 하였고, 기간별로 발아된 벼는 30 MPa의 압력 하에서 24시간 및 48시간 동안 처리하였다. 총 폴리페놀함량은 48시간 고압처리를 실시한 6일차 발아벼가 5.15 mg/g으로 고압처리를 실시하지 않은 6일차 발아벼의 1.11에 비하여 증가하였으며, 15종의 페놀산 중 gallic acid 외 6종의 페놀산과 총 페놀산함량이 발아기간 및 고압처리 시간이 증가함에 따라 유의적으로 증가하였다. ABTS 라디칼 소거능과 DPPH 라디칼 소거능은 대조구의 경우 발아 4일 차에서 최대 값을 나타내었으며, 고압처리 24시간 처리구와 48시간 처리구 모두 대조구에 비해 높았다. 환원력과 이온킬레이팅 효과는 총 폴리페놀, 페놀산 함량과 유사하게 발아 기간 및 고압처리시간이 증가함에 따라 증가하였다. 본 연구 결과 발아와 가압을 병행처리 하였을 때 일반벼 및 발아벼에 비해 항산화 성분 및 항산화 활성이 증가함을 알 수 있었으며, 발아벼의 기능성을 증대시키기 위하여 고압처리공정의 적용이 효과적이라고 판단된다.

Phenolic responses of resistant and susceptible Malus plants induced by Diplocarpon mali

In China, Marssonina apple blotch, caused by Diplocarpon mali (anamorph: Marssonina coronaria), is one of the most severe diseases of apple (Malus×domestica). Using M. sieversii and M. prunifolia cv. Donghongguo, we monitored the concentrations of 18 types of phenolic compounds, transcripts for key enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway, and activities by phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidases (PPO), and peroxidases (POD) when plants interacted with D. mali. Gallic acid production was induced in disease-resistant M. sieversii but decreased in the susceptible M. prunifolia. In both species, infection with D. mali enhanced their concentrations of epicatechin and reduced their levels of ρ-coumaric acid. Upon inoculation, PAL, PPO, and POD activities were induced to different degrees in each species. Our findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying resistance to D. mali and provide important clues for designing strategies to curb the effects of this disease.

Optimisation of ultrasound assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Sparganii rhizoma with response surface methodology

The present study reports on the extraction of phenolic compounds from sparganii rhizome. Box–Behnken Design (BBD), a widely used form of response surface methodology (RSM), was used to investigate the effect of process variables on the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Three independent variables including ethanol concentration (%), extraction time (min) and solvent-to-material ratio (mL/g) were studied. The results showed that the optimal UAE condition was obtained with an ethanol concentration of 75.3%, an extraction time of 40min and a solvent-to-material ratio of 19.21mL/g for total phenols, and an ethanol concentration of 80%, an extraction time of 33.54min and solvent-to-material ratio of 22.72mL/g for combination of ρ-hydroxybenzaldehyde, ρ-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, rutin and kaempferol. The experimental values under optimal conditions were in good consistent with the predicted values, which suggested UAE is more efficient process as compared to solvent extraction.

Physico-chemical and antioxidant properties of four mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars in China

Four principal mango cultivars (Tainong No.1, Irwin, JinHwang and Keitt) grown in southern China were selected, and their physico-chemical and antioxidant properties were characterized and compared. Of all the four cultivars, Tainong No.1 had highest content of total phenols, ρ-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, quercetin, titratable acidity, citric acid, malic acid, fructose, higher antioxidant activities (DPPH, FRAP) and L∗, lower pH, PPO activity and individual weight. Keitt mangoes showed significantly (p<0.05) higher contents of β-carotene, ρ-hydroxybenzoic acid, sucrose, total sugar, total soluble solid, catechin, succinic acid and higher PPO activity. JinHwang mangoes exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher individual weight and PPO activity, but had lower content of total phenols, β-carotene and lower antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed the four mango cultivars to be differentiated clearly based on all these physico-chemical and antioxidant properties determined in the study.

NMR and MS profiling of chemosystematic markers in triploid Populus tomentosa

Chemosystematics, or chemotaxonomy, is the attempt to classify and identify plants, according to demonstrable differences and similarities in their secondary metabolites. Thus, chemotaxonomic markers are powerful tools for the identification of a wide variety of plants [1]. Chinese forest scientists have been making significant efforts to develop fast-growing trees due to the extreme shortage of wood resources. Triploid Populus tomentosa Carr. (Salicaceae), the cloned hardware poplar species from Populus tomentosa, has been receiving the most attention [2]. However, secondary metabolites of triploid P. tomentosa have never been studied to date, though poplars have been widely used in folk medicines for the treatment of various diseases [3]. This work was carried out to investigate the secondary metabolites and the chemosystematic markers from triploid P. tomentosa. Column chromatographic purification of triploid P. tomentosa extracts resulted in the isolation of twelve phenolics: grandidentatin, isograndidentatin A, isograndidentatin B, caffeic acid, populoside A, salireposide, luteolin, salicortin, apigenin, populoside, ρ-coumaric acid, and 7-O-caffeoylsalirepin. The structures of the isolated secondary metabolites were extensively elucidated and characterized by spectroscopic method, including 1D and 2D NMR, and EI, FAB and MALDI-TOF MS. This was the first investigation of the secondary metabolites of triploid P. tomentosa wood. The isolation of isograndidentatin A, isograndidentatin B, grandidentatin, here in triploid P. tomentosa was interesting and glucosides of 1,2-dihydroxycyclohexane acylated by ρ-coumaric acid (or ρ-coumaric acid derivatives) could be considered as useful chemosystematic marks within the Salicaceae family, which was also well in accord with the our previous conclusion [4].

Preparation and thermal characterization of inclusion complex of Brazilian green propolis and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

The propolis produced in Southeastern Brazil is known as green propolis (BGP) because of its color and the most important plant source is Baccharis dracunculifolia. Several authors reported biological activities such as antiulcer, anti-inflammator, antimutagenic, antifungal/antibacterial, antileishmanial/antiplasmodial for the BGP. For this reason, BGP has been extensively employed in food and beverages, thus helping improve health and preventing diseases. Some authors related that the biological activities of BGP are mostly due to its high levels of prenylated ρ-coumaric acids derivatives, mainly artepillin C. The inclusion complex between Brazilian green propolis (BGP) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was prepared and its characterization was investigated by different analytical techniques (X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry) and suggesting that propolis was molecularly dispersed in the HP-β-CD matrix. The increasing solubility of chemical constituents was determined using quantitation methods for total flavonoids and polyphenols. Furthermore, it was developed a method for the quantitation and identification of the main compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography in order to evaluate the increasing water solubility of each constituent in aqueous BGP extract (aromadendrin, isosakuranetin, and artepillin C). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by chemical assay 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging.

Assessment of Antioxidant Properties in Fruits of Myrica esculenta: A Popular Wild Edible Species in Indian Himalayan Region

Crude extract of Myrica esculenta fruits, a wild edible species of Indian Himalayan Region, was evaluated for phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties. Results revealed significant variation in total phenolic and flavonoid contents across populations. Among populations, total phenolic content varied between 1.78 and 2.51 mg gallic acid equivalent/g fresh weight (fw) of fruits and total flavonoids ranged between 1.31 and 1.59 mg quercetin equivalent/g fw. Antioxidant activity determined by 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) exhibited considerable antioxidant potential and showed significant positive correlation with total phenolic and total flavonoids content. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed significant variation (P < .01) in phenolic compounds (i.e., gallic acid, catechin, hydroxybenzioc acid and ρ-coumaric acid) across populations. This study provides evidences to establish that consumption of M. esculenta fruits while providing relished taste would also help in reduction of free radicals. Therefore, this wild edible species deserves promotion in the region through horticulture and forestry interventions.

돼지풀의 페놀화합물 동정 및 이들 화합물이 잡초의 유식물 생장에 미치는 영향

Phenolic compounds, which are products of secondary metabolism, have been demonstrated to be widespread growth substances in plants. The objectives of this study were to identify the phenolic compounds in common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior) by HPLC and to evaluate their effects on germination and seedling growth of three weed species. Under controlled conditions in Petri dishes at 25℃, 10 -3 and 10 -4 M solutions of phenolic compounds were evaluated in seed germination tests. Four phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, ο-coumaric acid, ρ -coumaric acid and ferulic acid) in common ragweed plant were identified and their concentration was increased from the stage before flowering through full flowering stage. Treatment of ο- and ρ-coumaric acids delayed the seed germination of Digitalia ciliaris, while the treatment of caffeic acid delayed the seed germination of Echinochloa crus-galli. In time to 50% germination (T50), phenolic compounds at 10 -4 M promoted in Cyperus microiria and E. crus-galli but the level of 10 -3 M delayed the T50 of those weeds. The ο-coumaric acid inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of the tested weeds and especially it perfectly inhibited the root growth of E. crus-galli.

Antioxidative low molecular weight extractives from triploid Populus tomentosa xylem

Triploid Populus tomentosa Carr. (Salicaceae) is a good alternative to meet the increasing need of the global pulp and paper industry. Meanwhile, the xylem of this species could be a useful bioresource to develop low molecular extractives with significant bioactive potential. In the present work, a phytochemical investigation on aqueous EtOH extractives of Triploid P. tomentosa xylem, by systematical performance of Sephadex LH-20 open column chromatography and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), resulted in the isolation of two phenolic acids (ρ-coumaric acid (I) and caffeic acid (II)), two flavonoids (apigenin (III) and luteolin (IV)), and three phenolic glucosides (salicortin (V), salireposide (VI) and populoside (VII)). The structure elucidation and determination of the isolated extractives were based on their spectroscopical data and physiochemical evidences. This was the first time to report the low molecular weight extractives of Triploid P. tomentosa. Various low molecular weight extractives fromTriploid P. tomentosa xylem exhibited significant antioxidative activities by DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays.

Gene transcript accumulation associated with physiological and chemical changes during developmental stages of strawberry cv. Camarosa

Association between molecular, physiological, and chemical changes during developmental stages of ‘Camarosa’ strawberry were investigated. Fruit were evaluated for flesh firmness, L-ascorbic acid, total phenolic content and volatile compounds, antioxidant capacity, and transcript accumulation of putative genes: expansin (Exp), pectate lyase (PL), pectin methylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), L-galactose dehydrogenase (LGalDH) and l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and alcohol acetyl transferase (AAT). Flesh firmness reduction was correlated with an initial increase in Exp2 and Exp5, as well as PLa and PLb transcript accumulation, followed by increases in transcript accumulation of PME, PG, PLc, and β-Gal. A reduction in the antioxidant potential was associated with a decrease in ferulic acid, caffeic acid, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, quercetin and kaempferol content. ANS, LGalDH,GLDH, ADH and AAT transcripts, anthocyanins, total phenolics, gallic acid, ρ-hydroxybenzoic acid, ρ-coumaric acid and l-ascorbic acid, and ester volatiles increased as fruit matured.

Purification and Characteristics of Feruloyl Decarboxylase Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria from Awamori Mash

Despite serving important roles in the production of vanilla aroma, lactic acid bacteria are regarded as contaminants in spirit mash. We isolated the lactic acid bacteria that convert ferulic acid to 4-vinyl guaiacol (4-VG), purified their reactive enzyme, and examined their characteristics. The study showed that bound carboxyl was converted to carbon dioxide when ferulic acid was converted to 4-VG. The results demonstrated that pH was increased by this conversion and that the bromothymol blue contained in the ferulic acid changed from yellow to blue. Lactic acid bacteria producing high levels of ferulic acid decarboxylase (strain C18), identified as Lactobacillus paracasei, were isolated and selected from awamori mash. Chromatography was used to purify the ferulic acid decarboxylase, a C18-strain–produced monomer protein with a molecular mass of 47.9 kDa. Optimum conditions for production were pH 3 and 60°C. The ρ-coumaric acid decarboxylase identified in this study differed from the products of other L. plantarum strains in that the optimum temperature was 30°C and the optimum pH was 5.5–6.0. Metal ions such as Cu2+ and Fe2+ activated the enzyme.

Isolation and structure elucidation of new antioxidants from leaves of Populus ussuriensis

Populus ussuriensis Kom. (Salicaceae) leaves have been widely used in folk medicines to treat various diseases [1–2]. A 70% acetone extract of P. ussuriensis leaves was analyzed for antioxidant activity by ABTS ·+ and DPPH free radical scavenging assays. After partitioning with several solvents, the EtOAc soluble fraction, which showed strong antioxidant activity, was further purified by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The known phenolic acids ρ-coumaric acid (I) and caffeic acid (II), 5 known phenolic glucosides, salireposide (III), populoside (IV), suwonpopuloside (V), salicortin (VI) and grandidentatin (VII), and 2 new phenolic glucosides, 2-hydroxycyclohexyl-4'-O-p-coumaroyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (VIII) and 2-hydroxycyclohexyl-6'-O-p-coumaroyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (IX) were isolated as the active principles and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. This is the first report of the chemical composition of P. ussuriensis. Compounds I-VI and IX showed significant antioxidant activities (DPPH IC50 values of 6.68, 6.61, 6.75, 6.84, 6.76, 6.79 and 5.92 µM, respectively; ABTS ·+ TEAC values of 1.21, 1.28, 1.26, 1.05, 1.69, 1.60, and 2.00 mM, respectively), suggesting they may be exploited as biopreservatives in food applications and health supplements in functional food, to alleviate oxidative stress.

The allelopathy and allelopathic mechanism of phenolic acids on toxic Microcystis aeruginosa

Cyanobacterial contamination of water has been a serious problem in recent years. Thus, the effective control of undesired cyanobacteria has become an urgent issue. We studied therefore the effects of ρ-coumaric acid and vanillic acid on toxic Microcystis aeruginosa and the allelopathic mechanisms. The results showed that the growth of toxic M. aeruginosa was significantly inhibited by ρ-coumaric acid and vanillic acid, with an EC50 of 0.26 ± 0.07 and 0.34 ± 0.05 mmol L−1, respectively. Our data also demonstrated that both ρ-coumaric acid and vanillic acid triggered the generation of superoxide anion radicals (O2 •−). The O2 •− might induce a lipid peroxidation which may change cell membrane penetrability, thereby leading to the eventual death of M. aeruginosa. Our current studies further provide evidence that some phenolic acids such as ρ-coumaric acid and vanillic acid may be a potential effective solution for aquatic management.