Some Secondary Metabolites in Leaves of Echinodorus grandiflorus (Cham. & Schldl.) Micheli in Brazil

Abstract

The paper aimed to study the influence of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and ethephon on total phenols, flavonoids and tannins as a function of seasonality in Echinodorus grandiflorus plants. The experiment used adventitious plantlets from the flower stem with 4 to 5 leaves, planted in 10-liter pots. The leaf spray treatments applied were: control, NAA 100 mg L^-1, and ethephon 100 mg L^-1. Treatments were applied fifteen days after collecting the leaf blades, once at each season of the year. The results showed that plant growth regulators did not influence E. grandiflorus’ phenology and morphology. The ethephon did not affect synthesis of total phenols and flavonoids. The NAA caused a decrease in the synthesis of total phenols and flavonoids in some periods. Tannin synthesis is not expressive in E. grandiflorus. The study presented information about ecological aspects and chemical and mechanical defenses of Echinodorus grandiflorus.