Polyphenols, tannins and antioxidant activities of eight true mangrove plant species in South China

Ying Wang, Haowen Zhu, Nora Fung Yee Tam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background and aims: (i) compare the concentrations of total polyphenols (TP) and condensed tannins (CT), and CT profiles in different organs of mature trees and seedlings of eight true mangrove species in Hong Kong; (ii) examine the antioxidant activities of CT and (iii) relate the non-enzymatic antioxidative defence system with the vertical zonation pattern of mangrove species. Methods: Mature trees and seedlings of eight species were collected from a Hong Kong mangrove swamp to determine TP and CT concentrations and the antioxidant activities of CT. Results: According to TP concentrations, the true mangrove species could be broadly classified into three groups, (i) Lumnitzera racemosa and Aegiceras corniculatum > (ii) Heritiera littoralis, Excoecaria agallocha, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Kandelia obovata > (iii) Acanthus ilicifolius and Avicennia marina. The last two are pioneer species in the most foreshore location. They also had significantly lower antioxidant activities, CT concentrations and different CT profiles than the other six species in mid- and low-tides. Conclusions: Classification of the eight true mangrove species into three groups based on polyphenols was similar to their vertical zonation from land to sea. The relationships between these antioxidants and zonation should be further verified by transplantation studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)549-563
Number of pages15
JournalPlant and Soil
Volume374
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Condensed tannins
  • Free radical scavenging potential
  • Mangrove
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
  • Vertical zonation

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