Characterization of polyphenols in leaves of four desiccation tolerant plant families

Polyphenols in plants are known to act as antioxidants, antimicrobials, antifungal, photoreceptors, visual attractors and as light screens. In this study polyphenols in angiosperms found in southern Africa and called resurrection (desiccation tolerant) plants were studied. These plants are Myrothamnus flabellifolius, Xerophyta viscosa, Xerophyta humilis, Xerophyta schlecterii, Xerophyta villosa. Craterostigma wilmsii, Craterostigma plantagineum, Craterostigma pumilum and Eragrostis nindensis. These plants are able to tolerate water stress without undergoing permanent damage. During drying these plants are subjected to different stresses and one such stress is oxidative stress. It has been suggested that polyphenols function as stress protectants in plant cells by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during a period of oxidative stress. In this study the total phenolic content and the related antioxidant capacity of the plants leaf extracts were analysed.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Dzobo, Kevin

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Lindsey, George G
• Farrant, Jill M
• De Wet, Jacques

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4256

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/4256