Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):155-159 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0174-z

Carbon isotope composition as a tool to control the quality of herbs and medicinal plants

J. A. Marchese1,*, L. C. Ming2, C. Ducatti3, F. Broetto3, E. T. Da Silva3, M. Leonardo2
1 Laboratory of Biochemistry and Plant Physiology, Agronomy College, Federal University for Technology of Parana, Pato Branco-PR, Brazil
2 Agronomic Sciences College, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu-SP, Brazil
3 Biosciences Institute, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu-SP, Brazil

Isotope screening is a simple test for determining the photosynthetic pathway used by plants. The scope of this work was to classify the photosynthetic type of some herbs and medicinal plants through studies of the carbon isotope composition (δ13C). Also, we propose the use of carbon isotope composition as a tool to control the quality of herbs and medicinal plants. For studies of δ13C, δ13C‰ = [R (sample)/R (standard) - 1] × 10-3, dry leaves powdered in cryogenic mill were analyzed in a mass spectrometer coupled with an elemental analyzer for determining the ratio R = 13CO2/12CO2. In investigation of δ13C of 55 species, 23 botanical families, and 44 species possessed a C3 photosynthetic type. Six species found among the botanical families Euphorbiaceae and Poaceae were C4 plants, and 5 species found among the botanical families Agavaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Liliaceae possessed CAM-type photosynthesis. Carbon isotope composition of plants can be used as quality control of herbs and medicinal plants, allowing the identification of frauds or contaminations. Also, the information about the photosynthetic type found for these plants can help in introducing and cultivating exotic and wild herbs and medicinal plants.

Additional key words: C3, C4, and CAM plants; photosynthetic mechanisms

Received: September 12, 2005; Accepted: November 7, 2005; Published: March 1, 2006  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Marchese, J.A., Ming, L.C., Ducatti, C., Broetto, F., Da Silva, E.T., & Leonardo, M. (2006). Carbon isotope composition as a tool to control the quality of herbs and medicinal plants. Photosynthetica, 44(1), 155-159. doi: 10.1007/s11099-005-0174-z
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Caemmerer, S. von: Carbon isotope discrimination in C3-C4 intermediates. - Plant Cell Environ. 15: 1063-1072, 1992. Go to original source...
    2. Condon, A.G., Richards, R.A., Rebetzke, G.J., Farquhar, G.D.: Improving intrinsic water-use efficiency and crop yield. - Crop Sci. 42: 122-131, 2002. Go to original source...
    3. Cushman, J.C., Bohnert, H.J.: Molecular genetics of crassulacean acid metabolism. - Plant Physiol. 113: 667-676, 1997. Go to original source...
    4. Dawson, T.E., Mambelli, S., Plamboeck, A.H., Templer, P.H., Tu, K.P.: Stable isotopes in plant ecology. - Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 33: 507-559, 2002. Go to original source...
    5. Farquhar, G.D., Ehleringer, J.R., Hubick, K.T.: Carbon isotope discrimination and photosynthesis. - Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant mol. Biol. 40: 503-537, 1989. Go to original source...
    6. Griffiths, H.: Carbon isotope discrimination and the integration of carbon assimilation pathways in terrestrial CAM plants. - Plant Cell Environ. 15: 1051-1162, 1992. Go to original source...
    7. Hall, D.O., Rao, K.K.: Photosynthesis. 5th Ed. - University Press, Cambridge 1995.
    8. Hibberd, J.M., Quick, W.P.: Characteristics of C4 photosynthesis in stems and petioles of C3 flowering plants. - Nature 415: 451-454, 2002. Go to original source...
    9. Korner, C., Bazzaz, F.A.: Carbon Dioxide, Populations, and Communities. - Academic Press, San Diego 1996.
    10. Lambers, H., Chapin, F.S., III, Pons, T.L.: Plant Physiological Ecology. 3rd Ed. - Springer-Verlag, New York 1998. Go to original source...
    11. Lawlor, D.W.: Photosynthesis: Molecular, Physiological and Environmental Processes. 3rd Ed. - Springer-Verlag, New York 2001.
    12. Loomis, R.S., Connor, D.J.: Crop Ecology: Productivity and Management in Agricultural Systems. - Cambridge University Press, Wiltshire 1992. Go to original source...
    13. Luo, Y., Sternberg, L.: Deuterium heterogeneity in starch and cellulose nitrate of CAM and C3 plants. - Phytochemistry 30: 1095-1098, 1991. Go to original source...
    14. Marchese, J.A., Broetto, F., Ming, L.C., Ducatti, C., Rodella, R.A., Ventrella, M.C., Gomes, G.D.R., de Franceschi, L.: Carbon isotope composition and leaf anatomy as a tool to characterize the photosynthetic mechanism of Artemisia annua L. - Braz. J. Plant Physiol. 17: 187-190, 2005. Go to original source...
    15. Martin, C.E., Loeschen, V.S., Coke, L.B.: Crassulacean acid metabolism in selected terrestrial succulents in southeastern Jamaica, including two species in the Commelinaceae. - Oecologia 84: 99-102, 1990. Go to original source...
    16. O'Leary, M.H.: Biochemical basis of carbon isotope fractionation. - In: Ehleringer, J.R., Hall, A.E., Farquhar, G.D. (ed.): Stable Isotopes and Plant Carbon-Water Relations. Pp. 19-28. Academic Press, New York 1993. Go to original source...
    17. O'Leary, M.H., Madhavan, S., Paneth, P.: Physical and chemical basis of carbon isotope fractionation in plants. - Plant Cell Environ. 15: 1099-1104, 1992. Go to original source...
    18. Pyankov, V.I., Gunin, P.D., Tsoog, S., Black, C.C.: C4 plants in the vegetation of Mongolia: their natural occurrence and geographical distribution in relation to climate. - Oecologia 123: 15-32, 2000. Go to original source...
    19. Rossmann, A.: Determination of stable isotope ratios in food analysis. - Food Rev. int. 17: 347-381, 2001. Go to original source...
    20. Smith, B.N., Brown, W.V.: The Kranz syndrome in the Gramineae as indicated by carbon isotopic ratios. - Amer. J. Bot. 60: 505-513, 1973. Go to original source...
    21. Sternberg, L., DeNiro, M.J., Ting, I.P.: Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen isotope ratios of cellulose from plants having intermediary photosynthetic modes. - Plant Physiol. 74: 104-107, 1984. Go to original source...
    22. Winter, K., Holtum, J.A.M.: How closely do the δ13C values of crassulacean acid metabolism plants reflect the proportion of CO2 fixed during day and night. - Plant Physiol. 129: 1843-1851, 2002. Go to original source...

    Return to the content