Effects of UV-B radiation on secondary metabolite production, antioxidant activity, photosynthesis and herbivory interactions in Nymphoides humboldtiana (Menyanthaceae)

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 2020-11, Vol.212, p.112021-112021, Article 112021
• Main Authors: Nocchi, Nathália, Duarte, Heitor Monteiro, Pereira, Renato Crespo, Konno, Tatiana Ungaretti Paleo, Soares, Angélica Ribeiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-herbivore defense; Antioxidants; Aquatic plants; Chemical defense; Flavonoids; Floating plants; Freshwater environment; Herbivores; Herbivory; Laboratories; Metabolism; Metabolites; Mollusks; Natural products; Nymphoides; Palatability; Photosynthesis; Photosynthetic efficiency; Physiology; Secondary metabolites; Terrestrial environments; Ultraviolet radiation
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.112021

Ultraviolet B-light (UV-B) can exert indirect effects on plant-herbivore interactions by inducing changes in constitutive and induced chemical defenses, since it modulates physiological aspects of plants. This study evaluated the action of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis and production of secondary metabolites in Nymphoides humboldtiana and the cascade effects on the relationship of this macrophyte with a generalist herbivore, the gastropod mollusk Biomphalaria glabrata. After 13 days of UV-B exposition under laboratory conditions, the floating macrophyte N. humboldtiana responded increasing its photosynthetic potential and the production of flavonoids with a correlated enhance in antioxidant activity. However, these changes observed in its metabolism were not enough to alter their palatability to consumption by B. glabrata verified through laboratory feeding choice experiments. Despite the known deleterious effects of exposure to UV-B on terrestrial plants, we found that N. humboldtiana does have physiological/biochemical mechanisms as a strategy or restorative response to this potencially adverse or impacting agent without changing its relationships with herbivores. [Display omitted] •UV-B treated plants responded by increasing the potential for the photosynthetic electron transport.•Changes observed in the flavonoid's metabolism of the UV-B treated plants were correlated with higher antioxidant activity.•VB treated plants responded by increasing the production of flavonoids.•Secondary metabolism changes of the UV-B treated plants did not alter herbivory by the gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata.