Journal
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
Volume 36, Issue 9, Pages 1017-1028Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10886-010-9836-9
Keywords
Vaccinium myrtillus; Bilberry; Flavonol; Soluble phenolics; Flavonoid synthesis; DPPH; Antioxidant capacity; Boreal zone; Development; Latitude; Altitude
Categories
Funding
- European Commission [70025/05]
- Finnish Cultural Foundation
- Kone Foundation, Finland
- Academy of Finland [09141]
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Bilberry is a characteristic field layer species in the boreal forests and is an important forage plant for herbivores of the North European ecosystem. Bilberry leaves contain high levels of phenolic compounds, especially hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, catechins, and proanthocyanidins. We investigated the phenolic composition of bilberry leaves in two studies, one following foliar development in forest and open areas, and the other along a wide geographical gradient from south to north boreal forests in Finland. An analysis of bilberry leaves collected in open and forest areas showed that major phenolic changes appeared in the first stages of leaf development, but, most importantly, synthesis and accumulation of flavonoids was delayed in the forest compared to the high light sites. Sampling along a geographical gradient in the boreal zone indicated that leaves from higher latitudes and higher altitudes had greater soluble phenolic and flavonol levels, higher antioxidant capacity, and lower contents of chlorogenic acid derivatives. The ecological significance of the results is discussed.
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