Changes in the levels of bioactive components of cotton bracts accompanying senescence

A series of bracts from Deltapine 41 variety cotton were harvested weekly from October 16 through November 25, 1982, and examined for changes in biologically active components accompanying senescence. Aqueous extracts of cotton bracts (CBE) were tested for their ability to cause 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release from human platelets and contraction of isolated canine tracheal smooth muscle (TSM). In addition, the amounts of soluble tannins (the platelet-activating factor found in CBE) and endotoxin were determined for each CBE. The amount of CBE decreased significantly from October 16 through November 25, whereas endotoxin levels rose dramatically from October 23 to November 6 and declined thereafter. The amount of soluble tannin and platelet 5-HT release both decreased from highs on October 23 to unmeasurable levels on November 25. Smooth muscle contraction was attributed to two primary factors contained in CBE. The major constrictor was a 5-HT receptor agonist and its levels remained stable from October 16 through October 30, but then decreased to unmeasurable levels by November 13. In contrast, CBE also contained lesser amounts of an acetylcholine receptor agonist whose levels paralleled the changes in endotoxin levels. We conclude that several important biochemical changes occur in cotton bracts during senescence and that these changes profoundly influence their biological activity in various assays.