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Published on: October 2, 2018
Evolution in caffeoylquinic acid content and histolocalization during Coffea canephora leaf development
Laurence Mondolot1, Philippe La Fisca, Bruno Buatois
1Laboratoire de Botanique, Phytochimie et Mycologie, UMR 5175 CEFE-CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, 15 av. Charles Flahault, BP 14491, F-34093 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
Annals of Botany
|May 6, 2006
Summary
Caffeoylquinic acid content in coffee leaves decreases with age, shifting from chloroplasts in young leaves to vascular tissues in older ones. This suggests a role in light protection and lignification.
Area of Science:
- Plant biochemistry
- Plant physiology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Caffeoylquinic acids are plant stress response compounds.
- Chlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-CQA) is a key intermediate in lignin biosynthesis.
- Coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are rich in caffeoylquinic acids, but their distribution in other plant parts is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate caffeoylquinic acid metabolism in Coffea canephora leaves.
- To determine caffeoylquinic acid content and localization across different leaf developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantifying caffeoylquinic acids.
- Histochemical and microspectrofluorometrical analyses for in situ localization.
Main Results:
- Caffeoylquinic acid content was 10-fold lower in adult leaves compared to juvenile leaves.
- 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid was the most abundant, with dicaffeoylquinic and feruloylquinic acids also detected.
- Caffeoylquinic acids were localized in chloroplasts of young leaves, then accumulated in bundle sheath and phloem sclerenchyma cells in older leaves.
Conclusions:
- Caffeoylquinic acids likely protect chloroplasts from light damage.
- Their accumulation in vascular tissues indicates transport via phloem and involvement in lignification.
- Observed distribution patterns suggest potential complex formation with alkaloids like caffeine.
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