Quantitative Variation of Flavonoids and Diterpenes in Leaves and Stems of Cistus ladanifer L. at Different Ages

The compounds derived from secondary metabolism in plants perform a variety of ecological functions, providing the plant with resistance to biotic and abiotic factors. The basal levels of these metabolites for each organ, tissue or cell type depend on the development stage of the plant and they may be modified as a response to biotic and/or abiotic stress. As a consequence, the resistance state of a plant may vary in space and time. The secondary metabolites of Cistus ladanifer have been quantified in leaves and stems throughout autumn, winter, spring and summer, and at different ages of the plant. This study shows that there are significant differences between young leaves, mature leaves and stems, and between individuals of different ages. Young leaves show significantly greater synthesis of flavonoids and diterpenes than mature leaves and stems, with a clear seasonal variation, and the differences between leaves at different growth stages and stems is maintained during the quantified seasons. With respect to age, specimens under one year of age secreted significantly lower amounts of compounds. The variation in the composition of secondary metabolites between different parts of the plant, the season and the variations in age may determine the interactions of Cistus ladanifer with the biotic and abiotic factors to which it is exposed. View Full-Text

Keywords: Cistus ladanifer L.; phenols; flavonoids; diterpenes; age; quantitative variation

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Valares Masa, C.; Sosa Díaz, T.; Alías Gallego, J.C.; Chaves Lobón, N. Quantitative Variation of Flavonoids and Diterpenes in Leaves and Stems of Cistus ladanifer L. at Different Ages. Molecules 2016, 21, 275. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21030275

AMA Style

Valares Masa C, Sosa Díaz T, Alías Gallego JC, Chaves Lobón N. Quantitative Variation of Flavonoids and Diterpenes in Leaves and Stems of Cistus ladanifer L. at Different Ages. Molecules. 2016; 21(3):275. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21030275

Chicago/Turabian Style

Valares Masa, Cristina, Teresa Sosa Díaz, Juan C. Alías Gallego, and Natividad Chaves Lobón. 2016. "Quantitative Variation of Flavonoids and Diterpenes in Leaves and Stems of Cistus ladanifer L. at Different Ages" Molecules 21, no. 3: 275. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21030275

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Quantitative Variation of Flavonoids and Diterpenes in Leaves and Stems of Cistus ladanifer L. at Different Ages

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