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Determination of chemical markers affecting the occurrence of Panolis flammea Den. & Shiff.
AbstractThe research conducted so far on the chemical mechanisms of trees' defence against foliophages has not uncovered the chemical compounds biosynthesized by plants that are essential for these mechanisms. The objective of this study was to identify a chemical indicator for the presence of the pine beauty moth in Pinus sylvestris stands. Fresh needled shoots were collected from the crowns of pine trees in stands where the pine beauty moth tends to occur in large numbers, as well as from control stands. Total phenolic contents, total flavonoids contents, total chlorophyll content, terpene compounds, phenolic compound concentration, LMWOAs, sugar content, and colour analysis were conducted. Chlorophyll content, the presence of Panolis flammea in forest stands, and the colour of pine needles were discovered to be related. Variable L* correlated positively with the concentrations of chlorophyll a and b. In pine needles that were not attacked by the pine beauty moth, significantly higher concentrations of 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, quercitin, and rutin were found, with the first compound having the most significant effect (4‐hydroxybenzoic acid). Based on the study results, the connected compounds in pine needles make them susceptible to insect attack. In addition, insect repellent programmes were mentioned.
New Insights into Bioactive Compounds of Wild-Growing Medicinal Plants
Plants contain bioactive substances and secondary metabolites that have a variety of functions, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. In this study, the content of bioactive compounds in five medicinal plants was determined, i.e., Plantago major L., Armoracia rusticana, Hypericum perforatum L., Rumex acetosa L., and Urtica dioica L., from 38 locations. Additionally, the antimicrobial effect of extracts of bioactive compounds from the above-mentioned plants was checked. The experiment used an original method of extracting bioactive compounds. Purpose of the research: the assessment of antimicrobial activity and chemical characterization of extracts obtained using our own method of isolating bioactive compounds from green parts of medical plants in Poland. Based on the research, the presence of bioactive compounds, i.e., phenolic acids and flavonoids, was found in the tested plant extracts. The results of this study suggest that the geographic parameters of the locations where these plants grow have different effects on their biochemical composition and biological activity. The results showed that all tested plants had significant antibacterial activities. Rumex acetose L. showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis. These studies supplement the existing literature on the subject with information about the antimicrobial properties of the tested plant extracts that can be used in herbal medicine. The results have significant implications for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic sectors, establishing a foundation for future research in this area.