Journal
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
Volume 37, Issue 1, Pages 57-70Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10886-010-9887-y
Keywords
Populus; Condensed tannin; Genetic variation; Polyphenolic; Proanthocyanidin; Tannin composition; Thiolysis
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Funding
- NSF REU [DBI-0353915]
- Agricultural Research Services Specific Cooperative Agreement with Miami University [58-1932-6-634]
- NSF Frontiers in Integrative Biological Research [DEB-0425908]
- NSF [DEB-0841609]
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The literature on proanthocyanidins (tannins) in ecological systems is dominated by quantitative studies. Despite evidence that the qualitative characteristics (subunit type, polymer chain length) of these complex polyphenolics are important determinants of biological activity, little is known about genetic and environmental controls on the type of proanthocyanidins produced by plants. We tested the hypothesis that genetics, season, developmental stage, and environment determine proanthocyanidin qualitative characteristics by using four Populus cross types (narrowleaf [P. angustifolia], Fremont [P. fremontii], F1 hybrids, and backcrosses to narrowleaf). We used thiolysis and HPLC analysis to characterize the proanthocyanidins, and found that genetics strongly control composition. The narrowleaf plants accumulate mixed procyanidin/prodelphinidins with average composition epicatechin(11)-epigallocatechin(8)-catechin(2)-catechin((terminal)). Backcross genotypes produce mixed procyanidin/prodelphinidins similar to narrowleaf, while Fremont makes procyanidin dimers, and the F1 plants contain procyanidin heptamers. Less striking effects were noted for genotype x environment, while season and developmental zone had little effect on proanthocyanidin composition or chain length. We discuss the metabolic and ecological consequences of differences in condensed tannin qualitative traits.
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