Phytochemical Induction by Herbivores Could Affect Quality of Essential Oils from Aromatic Plants

Abstract

Plant tissues may show chemical changes following herbivory. In aromatic plants such changes could affect the specific compounds on which commercial exploitation is based. This possibility was analyzed for Mintosthachys mollis, a member of the Lamiaceae native to Central Argentina with medicinal and aromatic uses in the region, and two types of insect herbivores: a leaf miner and a gall insect. Analysis of the essential oils of mined/undamaged leaves, as well as leaves from stems with and without galls, revealed changes in concentrations of the two main monoterpenes. A decrease in pulegone concentration was associated with both types of insect damage, whereas menthone increased significantly only in mined leaves. Inducible chemical changes in aromatic and medicinal plants may be common and widespread; their economic implications deserve investigation.

Changes in the volatile organic profile of Schinus polygamus (Anacardiaceae) and Baccharis spicata (Asteraceae) induced by galling psyllids

“…2 Plant volatiles can act as chemical signals to herbivores and its biosynthesis can be changed as a response to herbivory. 3,4 Some of these metabolites can act as signals to insects for plant host finding and recognition 5,6 or as attractants to natural enemies. Vol.…”

Animal plant warfare and secondary metabolite evolution

“…Constitutively expressed defenses offer plants permanent protection, while inducible defenses are produced only in response to environmental stresses such as mammalian browsing and insect herbivory. 3,4 The variability of environments, including attributes such as altitude, temperature and moisture variations, are further factors influencing plants' armory of defensive weapons. 5,6 The various phytochemicals produced by plants are major constraints that limit the ingestion behavior of herbivores and thus determine herbivore impact on vegetation.…”

“…8 The concentrations of specific hydrocarbons, fatty acids and essential oils that a plant produces also depend on other environmental conditions. 3,9 Increased concentrations of toxic compounds may cause directly serious health consequences in herbivores. Hence, herbivores must avoid saturating their detoxification systems as stated in the detoxification limitation *To whom correspondence should be addressed.…”

Evaluation of essential oils from 22 Guatemalan medicinal plants for in vitro activity against cancer and established cell lines

“…Essential oils show a high degree of quantitative and qualitative variability among species, within a species, and among tissue types due to genetic factors, seasonality, and environmental factors (Valladares et al, 2002;Lahlou, 2004;Bakkali et al, 2008;Barra, 2009;Padialia et al, 2014;Grulova et al, 2015;Salmasi et al, 2016).…”