POLYPHENOLICS AS INTERFERING COMPOUNDS IN ORNAMENTAL PLANT CHARACTERISATION

On one hand, there are model plants like Arabidopsis, Nicotiana and Petunia, which are genetically, biochemically and molecular biologically well characterised.
On the other hand, however, commercially significant ornamental plants like Cyclamen, Pelargonium and Rosa have nearly not been examined, although respective information becomes more and more important for the improvement of classical and molecular plant breeding.
All our attempts to biochemically characterise Cyclamen, Pelargonium and Rosa by the established methods proved to be unsuccessful.
A reason for this may be that these three plant spezies contain a striking amount of polyphenolics like gallotannins and proanthocyanidines.

Following, the obstructing effect of polyphenolics is illustrated with the model system of the flavonoid pathway.
These substances affect the chemical analysis by DC and HPLC, and, more important, they prevent the extraction of active enzyme protein and of nucleic acids in sufficient quantity and quality.

These problems were solved by using methods that were established for trees like walnut or oak, based on the usage of polyvinylpolypyrrolidonium, polyethylenglycol and polyamid as complexing agents for pholyphenolics.
After some modifications of the protein extraction, it was possible for the first time to demonstrate the activity of flavonoid pathway enzymes in Pelargonium, Rosa and Cyclamen.

XIX International Symposium on Improvement of Ornamental Plants

R. Hassenpflug, T. Elsherif, G. Forkmann

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2000.508.47