Cations and Phenolic Compounds Concentrations in Fruits of Fig Plants Exposed to Moderate Levels of Salinity

Abstract

Fig trees are often grown in areas affected by salinity problems. We investigated changes in the concentrations of 15 phenolic compounds and mineral elements (Mg, Ca, K, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Fe, Na) in fruits of fig plants (Ficus carica L. cv. Dottato) subjected to irrigation with saline water (100 mM of NaCl) for 28 days. We used UHPLC-MS/MS techniques to determine chlorogenic acid, tiliroside, catechin, epicatechin (ECTC), p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, phloridzin, phloretine, quercetagetin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol 7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, and quercetin. There was a steep gradient of Na+ concentrations between the root and the canopy of salinized plants, but leaf Na+ was similar in control and salt-treated plants. Quercetin, ECTC, and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds in fig fruits. Salinity increased total phenols by 5.6%, but this increase was significant only for ECTC. Salt stress significantly increased Zn and Mg concentration in the fruit. Leaf levels of K, Mg, Ca, and Mn were similar in control and salinized plants. Moderate salt stress appears to improve fig fruit quality because of its positive effect on nutrients and antioxidant compounds such as epicatechin.

Functions, accumulation, and biosynthesis of important secondary metabolites in the fig tree (Ficus carica)

“…The total phenolic level of F. carica is increased by phosphorus and calcium deficiency ( Garza-Alonso et al., 2020 ). Salt stress increased the total phenolic content of F. carica by 5.6%, with a particularly pronounced increase observed in the levels of epicatechin ( Francini et al., 2021 ). Additionally, high temperatures increase the phenolic content of the leaves of F. carica seedlings ( Guo et al., 2017 ), and drought stress increases the α-tocopherol content ( Gholami et al., 2012 ).…”

An updated review of composition, health benefits, and applications of phenolic compounds in Ficus Carica L.

“…According to the biosynthetic pathway or structural features, phenolic compounds are divided into simple phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, lignans and astragals (Abegaz & Kinfe, 2019; Rehab & Amira, 2018). The major phenolic compounds in FC are flavonoids and phenolic acids (Figure 1) (Francini et al, 2021). FC contains phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid, flavanols such as (+) catechin and (−) epicatechin, flavonols such as quercetin, 3‐O‐glucoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐glucoside and rutin, flavonoids such as lignan‐8‐C‐glucoside, anthocyanins such as cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, and many other phenolic compounds (Hssaini et al, 2022; Prgomet et al, 2021; Slatnar et al, 2011).…”

Cocoa Bar Antioxidant Profile Enrichment with Underutilized Apples Varieties

“…SRM transitions and the corresponding compound parameters are reported in Table 1. Chromatographic separation was performed as reported in Francini et al [20] by a Phenomenex Kinetex EVO 2 × 100 × 5 µm column (Phenomenex, Torrance, CA, USA). The elution was carried out in gradient mode using acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent A) and water containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent B).…”