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Ultraviolet‐B radiation absorbing capacity of leaf hairs
Author(s) -
Karabourniotis George,
Papadopoulos Kostas,
Papamarkou Maria,
Manetas Yiannis
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1992.tb01337.x
Subject(s) - olea , trichome , absorptance , botany , ultraviolet , biology , pigment , chemistry , optics , reflectivity , physics , organic chemistry
Pubescence layers with their native structure and orientation were isolated from the leaves of Olea europaea L. and Olea chrysophylla L. They were almost transparent in the visible, but considerable absorptance was evident in the ultraviolet‐B region (UV‐B), with maximum at 310 nm. Methanolic extracts of hairs from Olea and a variety of other pubescent species consistently showed the existence of UV‐screening pigments. Absorptance of trichomes varied, but a trend towards more effective UV‐B radiation attenuation in the sub‐alpine Verbascum species may be claimed. In all cases, pigments were located within hair cells and in Olea they were characterized as phenolics with considerable flavonoid contribution. It is suggested that leaf hairs, besides other functions, may constitute a shield against UV‐B radiation.