Articles
Caffeine uptake and degradation in olive tree (Olea europaea L.): a model for studying organic contaminants in irrigation water
Article number
1446_33
Pages
243 – 250
Language
English
Abstract
Wastewater irrigation can be considered a promising alternative to meet the growing demand for water in arid and semi-arid regions.
However, to validate its use, it is necessary to verify whether the possible presence of organic contaminants may have negative effects on crops.
The effects on olive fruit production and quality were analysed in relation to treatment with water containing realistic concentrations of caffeine, an environmental contaminant frequently found in wastewater.
Olive trees (Olea europaea L. ‘Leccino’ grafted on ‘Canino’) were grown in pots (24×24 cm; 9.5 L) in a greenhouse (52 days) and irrigated daily with control water or water containing 0.014 mg L‑1 caffeine (trimethyl-13C). We chose to use trimethyl-13C to discriminate from the plant’s endogenous caffeine.
Trimethyl-13C and polyphenol concentrations in the fruits were determined by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS mass spectrometry (Sciex 5500 QTrap+), using an information dependent acquisition (IDA) method.
The results showed that plants treated with trimethyl-13C have a higher photosynthetic activity.
A similar trend was also observed in the parameter of fluorescence and SPAD index, suggesting a biostimulating activity of caffeine.
The fruit pigmentation index was higher (+8.8%) in trimethyl-13C treated plants compared to control plants.
Trimethyl-13C was detected at the root level (1.62 ng g‑1 FW) while no trimethyl-13C was observed at leaves and fruits level.
Analyses of polyphenols in the fruits of trimethyl-13C treated plants showed significantly higher content of rutin (+35.0%), oleuropein (+249.3%), hydroxytyrosol (+59.9%), ligstroside (100.2%), chlorogenic acid (+42.0%), vanillic acid (+39.2%), verbascoside (+188.5%) and caffeic acid (+37.0%). This work suggests that this system is a good model for studying organic contaminants in irrigation water, but further long-term studies considering more pollutants are needed.
However, to validate its use, it is necessary to verify whether the possible presence of organic contaminants may have negative effects on crops.
The effects on olive fruit production and quality were analysed in relation to treatment with water containing realistic concentrations of caffeine, an environmental contaminant frequently found in wastewater.
Olive trees (Olea europaea L. ‘Leccino’ grafted on ‘Canino’) were grown in pots (24×24 cm; 9.5 L) in a greenhouse (52 days) and irrigated daily with control water or water containing 0.014 mg L‑1 caffeine (trimethyl-13C). We chose to use trimethyl-13C to discriminate from the plant’s endogenous caffeine.
Trimethyl-13C and polyphenol concentrations in the fruits were determined by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS mass spectrometry (Sciex 5500 QTrap+), using an information dependent acquisition (IDA) method.
The results showed that plants treated with trimethyl-13C have a higher photosynthetic activity.
A similar trend was also observed in the parameter of fluorescence and SPAD index, suggesting a biostimulating activity of caffeine.
The fruit pigmentation index was higher (+8.8%) in trimethyl-13C treated plants compared to control plants.
Trimethyl-13C was detected at the root level (1.62 ng g‑1 FW) while no trimethyl-13C was observed at leaves and fruits level.
Analyses of polyphenols in the fruits of trimethyl-13C treated plants showed significantly higher content of rutin (+35.0%), oleuropein (+249.3%), hydroxytyrosol (+59.9%), ligstroside (100.2%), chlorogenic acid (+42.0%), vanillic acid (+39.2%), verbascoside (+188.5%) and caffeic acid (+37.0%). This work suggests that this system is a good model for studying organic contaminants in irrigation water, but further long-term studies considering more pollutants are needed.
Publication
Authors
E. Vichi, A. Francini, A. Raffaelli, L. Sebastiani
Keywords
‘Leccino’, oleuropein, organic-pollutant, physiology, polyphenols
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