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Changes in the Composition of Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Sterols of Maize Root in Response to Monoterpenes

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Abstract

Terpenes are thought to be important in plant–plant interactions because of their phytotoxic action on seed germination and growth. Herein, the effects of five volatile monoterpenes on root sterols and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition have been studied during maize seedling germination. The investigated monoterpenes (camphor, 1–8 cineole, geraniol, menthol, and thymol) were applied at their respective IC80 (concentration causing 80% inhibition). They quantitatively affected free sterols and PLFA composition, thus producing an increase in the percentage of unsaturated PLFAs, stigmasterol of the free sterol fraction, and saturated steryl ester fatty acids. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic monoterpenes appeared to have different modes of action. The former affected unsaturated fatty acid and stigmasterol to a greater extent, and accordingly they could interfere in seedling growth by changes in the membrane lipids.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Agencia Córdoba Ciencia, SECYT-UNC and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) for financial support. M.P. Zunino was the recipient of a fellowship from CONICET.

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  1. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), CONICET, Cátedra de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1600 (X5016GCA), Córdoba, Argentina

    María P. Zunino & Julio A. Zygadlo

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  1. María P. Zunino
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Correspondence to María P. Zunino.

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Zunino, M.P., Zygadlo, J.A. Changes in the Composition of Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Sterols of Maize Root in Response to Monoterpenes. J Chem Ecol 31, 1269–1283 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-005-5285-2

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