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Trichome Density in Relation to Volatiles Emission and 1,8‐Cineole Synthase Gene Expression in Thymus albicans Vegetative and Reproductive Organs
Author(s) -
Marques Natália T.,
Filipe Alexandra,
Pinto Patrícia,
Barroso José,
Trindade Helena,
Power Deborah M.,
Figueiredo Ana Cristina
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemistry and biodiversity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.427
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1612-1880
pISSN - 1612-1872
DOI - 10.1002/cbdv.201900669
Subject(s) - trichome , bract , calyx , botany , chemistry , corpus albicans , candida albicans , inflorescence , biology
1,8‐Cineole is the main volatile produced by Thymus albicans Hoffmanns . & Link 1,8‐cineole chemotype. To understand the contribution of distinct plant organs to the high 1,8‐cineole production, trichome morphology and density, as well as emitted volatiles and transcriptional expression of the 1,8‐cineole synthase (CIN) gene were determined separately for T. albicans leaves, bracts, calyx, corolla and inflorescences. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and stereoscope microscopy observations showed the highest peltate trichome density in leaves and bracts, significantly distinct from calyx and corolla. T. albicans volatiles were collected by solid phase micro extraction (SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and by GC for component identification and quantification, respectively. Of the 23 components identified, 1,8‐cineole was the dominant volatile (57–93 %) in all T. albicans plant organs. The relative amounts of emitted volatiles clearly separated vegetative from reproductive organs. Gene expression of CIN was assigned to all organs analyzed and was consistent with the relatively high emission of 1,8‐cineole in leaves and bracts. Further studies will be required to analyze monoterpenoid biosynthesis by each type of glandular trichome.