Synergistic Protective Interactions between a Climbing Plant (Metrosideros perforata) and its Supporting Plant (Pinus sylvestris): A GC–MS-Based Study of Bioactive Compounds
Ohiri, Reginald Chibueze
*
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. P.M.B. 5323, East-West Road, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Okonwko, Joseph Chinedu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. P.M.B. 5323, East-West Road, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Adenusi, Feyisayo Faith
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. P.M.B. 5323, East-West Road, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The outcompeting nature of climbers against their supporting plants has made their relationships to seem antagonistic to most scientist. However, toxic and feeding deterrent volatile organic compounds secreted from a plant may have direct deterrents effects on pathogenic and herbivores attack of its neighboring plants. Thus, climbers may have molecular beneficial effects on their supporting plants.
Methodology: Mature leaves of Metrosideros perforata obtained from the trunk of Pinus sylvestris tree from the Botanical Garden of University of Port Harcourt were dried for 14 days at 23 ºC to a constant weight, pulverized to fine powder using Binatone BLG450 blender and 20g staple-sealed in three Whatman no.4 filter papers were extracted in different Soxhlet extractors using hexane, methanol and dichloromethane as solvents. The extracts were concentrated and their bioactive compounds determined using GC-MS.
Results: Amongst the forty-two bioactive compounds observed in the three extracts of this plant, fourteen bioactive compounds which include 9-Hexadecyn-1-ol; (R)-(-)-(Z)-14-Methyl-8-hexadecen-1-ol; Cyclopentadecanone,2-hydroxy-; 4- Oxalic acid, allyl hexadecyl ester; Chloropropionic acid, heptadecyl ester; 2- Bromopropionic acid, pentadecyl ester; 1-Nonene; 5-Octadecene,(E)-; Trimethylsilyl-di(trimethylsiloxy)-silane; Heptasiloxane,1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11,13,13-tetradecamethyl- observed in the dichloromethane extract with percentage concentrations of 1.002, 3.786, 7.746, 2.520, 5.116, 3.527, 1.190, 12.545, 2.112, 3.558 and 4-Pyridinamine, N-methyl-N,3-dinitro- ; N-Acrylonitrylaziridine and 7-Nonenoic acid, methyl ester observed in the methanol extract and 13-Octadecenal, (Z)- observed in the hexane extract with percentage concentrations of 2.712, 2.182, 6.777 and 61.261 were mainly for protection against insect invasion, bacterial infection and fungal growth.
Conclusion: This present finding indicates that these fourteen bioactive compounds not only shield or protect the climber but elicit a cross protection to its supporting plant, thereby having a synergistic protective relationship with the supporting plant.
Keywords: Bioactive compounds, synergistic relationship, protection, infection, climbers, supporting plant