Abstract Detail

Ecology

Grant, Kirstie [1], Fogerty, Meghan [2], Musah, Rabi [3], Burke, Janelle [4].

Comparison of Oxalic Acid Compositions found in Individuals of Rumex acetosa (sorrel) Using Direct Analysis in Real-Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS).

Rumex acetosa is a dioecious plant species, wherein plant sex is determined by inheritance of heteromorphic sex chromosomes. The identified sexual systems of dioecious Rumex species are recognized as good experimental models to study resource allocation patterns in plants. Compared to species comprising a host of other genera and families, significantly high concentrations of phytochemical Oxalic Acid (OxA) were found to be unique to Rumex species. The first objective of this study was to confirm the presence or absence of targeted OxA in the cultivated male and female individuals of Rumex acetosa. For this investigation, the collected male and female individuals were examined using Direct Analysis in Real Time – Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS). Preliminary results revealed that OxA was present in the 3-month-old Rumex acetosa individuals and absent in the 7-month-old Rumex acetosa individuals. Having confirmed its presence, we quantified and compared OxA compositions occurring in these male and female individuals using plant sex and plant age as the independent variables. In general, female 3-month individuals have higher OxA composition than male individuals.

1 - Howard University, Biology, 415 College Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20059, United States
2 - University at Albany, Chemistry, 1400 Washington Ave. SUNY, Albany, New York , 12222, USA
3 - University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave. SUNY, Albany, New York, 12222, United States
4 - Howard University, Dept. Of Biology, 415 College St. NW, Just Hall 328, Washington, DC, 20059, United States

Keywords:
Rumex
Oxalic Acid
Acetosa
Polygonaceae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: ECO4, Ecology 4: Plant, Population, Community and Ecosystem Response to Environmental Stressors and Change PLUS Plant Biology (Aeroallergens and Phytochemical Differences)
Location: San Luis 1/Starr Pass
Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2019
Time: 8:45 AM
Number: ECO4004
Abstract ID:410
Candidate for Awards:None