Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research
Jeremiah Jeffers - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Co-Author(s): Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar, Arkansas State Univerity, Jonesboro, AR; Patrick Roberto, Arkansas State Univerity, Jonesboro, Ar; Abbas Karouni, Arkansas State Univerity, Jonesboro, AR
Stilbenoids are inducible defense compounds produced by certain plants, including grapes and peanuts. In addition to their role in plant defense, they have potential applications in human health due to their antiviral, anticancer, neuroprotective, and anti-obesity properties. The peanut plant produces a unique class of stilbenoids, i.e. prenylated stilbenoids, upon fungal challenge. These compounds have shown higher metabolic stability than non prenylated stilbenoids and are potentially more bioavailable than their non prenylated analogues. In order to study the antioxidant properties of prenylated stilbenoids, peanut hairy roots were used as a bioproducion system for these compounds. The hairy roots were treated with elicitors for 48, 108 and 168 hours and the stilbenoids were extracted from the culture medium with ethyl acetate and analyzed by HPLC. The extracts contained the non-prenylated stilbenoids resveratrol and piceatannol and the prenylated stilbenoids arachidin-1, -2, -3 and -5. Higher levels of prenylated stilbenoids were obtained after 168 hours of elicitation. Antioxidant assays are being performed to determine if the antioxidant capacity is higher in the extracts than purified stilbenoids. These studies demonstrate the application of peanut hairy roots to produce bioactive compounds for human health.
Not SubmittedFunder Acknowledgement(s): The FDA, NSF, and Arkansas State University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar, fmedinabolivar@astate.edu
Role: I produced each chemical metioned. I also calculated their exact amount present inside the extract.