Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


BortonCapstone.pdf (2.17 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Probing the root exudation of harmala alkaloids from Syrian rue

Borton, Corianna M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1556575257327354

Abstract Details

2019, Bachelor of Science, Ashland University, Chemistry/Geology/Physics.
Syrian rue (Peganum harmala), a desert plant native to the Middle East and southern Asia, has a long history of use in rituals and folk medicine. It was introduced into the United States in the 1920’s and has become an invasive plant thriving in deserts of the southwest. Syrian rue produces six harmala alkaloids that have the potential to inhibit the growth of neighboring plants and negatively impact organisms living in soil near its roots. In order to better understand the toxic properties of these compounds toward other plants, the alkaloids released by Syrian rue in soil were measured using silicone tube microextraction, a technique developed in our laboratory. Silicone sequesters and concentrates lipophilic organic compounds, such as the harmala alkaloids. This method also allows for repeated sampling of the soil without disturbance. The compounds are extracted from the silicone and the concentration of each compound is measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Harmine and harmaline can be detected by fluorescence detection down to 10 and 1 ng/mL, respectively. The spatial and temporal profiles of the dynamic release of harmala alkaloids in the rhizosphere were measured using various planting methods (pots of unique design) and variations of silicone probe designs. Silicone sheet probes show the spatial profile of harmine ranging from 11 ng to 46 ng released in soil. The toxic effect of the alkaloids to three dicot species (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Rudbeckia hirta, and Lactuca sativa) was examined. Germination and growth studies in the presence of harmine and harmaline have shown that harmaline is more inhibitory to the plants than harmine. Amaranth root growth was decreased by 41% for 5 μg/mL harmaline and was not affected for 5 μg/mL harmine. Changes in amaranth root growth were seen at higher concentrations of harmine: root growth decreased by 53% at 100 μg/mL harmine. Similar results were seen in the other species tested. Understanding the dynamics and toxicity of alkaloid release will provide insight into the mechanism for the invasive success of Syrian rue.
Brian Mohney, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Jeffrey Weidenhamer, Ph.D. (Other)
61 p.
Agricultural Chemicals; Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry; Soil Sciences
Syrian rue; Peganum harmala; harmala alkaloids; silicone tubing microextraction

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Borton, C. M. (2019). Probing the root exudation of harmala alkaloids from Syrian rue [Undergraduate thesis, Ashland University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1556575257327354

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Borton, Corianna. Probing the root exudation of harmala alkaloids from Syrian rue. 2019. Ashland University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1556575257327354.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Borton, Corianna. "Probing the root exudation of harmala alkaloids from Syrian rue." Undergraduate thesis, Ashland University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1556575257327354

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

auhonors1556575257327354
244
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ashland University Honors Theses and OhioLINK.