Articles
IMPLICATIONS OF CHANGING PATTERNS OF LINEAR FURANOCOUMARINS IN CELERY WITH PLANT GROWTH, PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS, AND INSECT FEEDING
Article number
381_81
Pages
596 – 599
Language
Abstract
Seasonal trends and effects of pesticides and insect feeding on the phototoxic linear furanocoumarins in petioles and leaves of celery (Apium graveolens L.) were documented.
Total linear furanocoumarins in petioles from untreated plants (range = 0.34 – 1.84 μg/g fresh weight) did not reach levels known to cause contact dermatitis in either 1989 or 1990. In leaf samples, total linear furanocoumarin concentrations in untreated plants at harvest (1989=2.95 μg/g; 1990=5.90 μg/g) were low, but exceeded levels known to produce dermatitis for at least 6 weeks in 1990 (maximum = 15.85 μg/g). Similar concentrations were recorded only once in 1989 (11.52 μg/g). Bergapten showed the highest seasonal and weekly concentrations in leaves and petioles during both years, followed by xanthotoxin and then psoralen.
Bergapten levels in petioles declined significantly as plants aged.
Leaf concentrations did not correlate with concentrations in the petioles in either year.
In general, pesticides had relatively little effect on furanocoumarin induction, but did protect against feeding by Spodoptera exigua Hübner, which induced significant increases in defensive production of furanocoumarins.
The implications of this work for the safety of production and consumption of celery are discussed.
Total linear furanocoumarins in petioles from untreated plants (range = 0.34 – 1.84 μg/g fresh weight) did not reach levels known to cause contact dermatitis in either 1989 or 1990. In leaf samples, total linear furanocoumarin concentrations in untreated plants at harvest (1989=2.95 μg/g; 1990=5.90 μg/g) were low, but exceeded levels known to produce dermatitis for at least 6 weeks in 1990 (maximum = 15.85 μg/g). Similar concentrations were recorded only once in 1989 (11.52 μg/g). Bergapten showed the highest seasonal and weekly concentrations in leaves and petioles during both years, followed by xanthotoxin and then psoralen.
Bergapten levels in petioles declined significantly as plants aged.
Leaf concentrations did not correlate with concentrations in the petioles in either year.
In general, pesticides had relatively little effect on furanocoumarin induction, but did protect against feeding by Spodoptera exigua Hübner, which induced significant increases in defensive production of furanocoumarins.
The implications of this work for the safety of production and consumption of celery are discussed.
Authors
J.T. Trumble, M.M. Diawara, J.G. Millar, D.E. Ott, W.C. Carson
Keywords
Spodoptera exigua, beet armyworm, psoralens, dermatitis
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