Planta Med 2006; 72 - P_259
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-950059

Low Molecular Weight Polyphenols in insect infected leaves of Quercus ilex L. (Fagaceae)

H Skaltsa 1, A Karioti 1, G Karabourniotis 2, AR Bilia 3
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy & Chemistry of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
  • 2Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Morphology, Department of Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Botanikos, Athens, Greece
  • 3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Ugo Schiff 6, Polo Scientifico, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Florence, Italy

Plant-insect interactions in Mediterranean ecosystems have not hitherto sufficiently studied in terms of Chemical Ecology. Quercus ilex is an excellent model for this type of study, as its leaves present impressive alterations after insect attacks.

In this study, low molecular weight polyphenols were studied by HPLC in samples of insect infected leaves. The leaves were extracted with solvents of increasing polarity and the methanol extract was further submitted to chromatographic separations, mainly column chromatography and HPLC and afforded gallic, protocatechuic, vanillic, caffeic, ferulic, and ellagic acids. Comparative HPLC study of healthy and infected leaves showed an increase in the phenolic content. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by means of 1D & 2D NMR.