Age-Related Metabolic Response of Lupinus bogotensis According to Physiological Gradual Deterioration
Plants of the genus Lupinus (Fabaceae) have interesting secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolics. These compounds can be found in different organs of the plant. Most of the Lupinus-focused metabolite analyses have been carried out in leaves, but there are few studies on age-related metabolite contents. The aim of this work was therefore to characterize the leaf-occurring compounds of Lupinus bogotensis at different physiological deterioration. Leaves were then collected according to their appearance: 1) green-colored leaves, 2) yellow (orange)-colored leaves previous to the senescence, and 3) brown-colored senescent leaves. All collected material was extracted according to the ultrasound-assisted acid-base protocol. Resulting extracts were analyzed using a Thermo Trace 1300 gas chromatograph coupled to an ISQ mass spectrometer. Lupanine, sparteine, 5,6-dehydrolupanine, and 4-hydroxylupanine were then found in higher abundance in green leaves; a high amount of sparteine in yellow leaves and a high presence of lupanine and sparteine (without occurrence of other alkaloids) in senescent leaves. In a second trial at different time, there was a high presence of sparteine, 5,17-dehydroalatomidine, lupanine and 5,6-dehydrolupanine for green leaves; sparteine, 5,17-dehydroalatomidine, lupanine, and 11-epiaphylline in yellow leaves and only lupanine in senescent leaves. Differences in the type and concentration of alkaloids depending on the leaf age were detected as well as some differences between observations. Results indicate lupanine and sparteine could serve a good indicator of gradual deterioration and/or senescence in L. bogotensis, which is pretty significant in further studies, e.g., soil restoration.