Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #343322
Title: Phenolic content and profile alterations during seedling growth in supina bluegrass and bermudagrass

Author
item PEDERSON, MATTHEW - University Of Nebraska
item WEGNER, CASEY - University Of Michigan
item GAUSSOIN, ROCH - University Of Nebraska
item ZBASNIK, RICHARD - University Of Nebraska
item Sarath, Gautam
item SCHLEGEL, VICKI - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2018
Publication Date: 8/15/2018
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/6477310
Citation: Pederson, M.A., Wegner, C.J., Gaussoin, R.E., Zbasnik, R., Sarath, G., Schlegel, V.L. 2018. Phenolic content and profile alterations during seedling growth in poa supina and cynodon dactylon. Crop Science. 58:2010-2019. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2018.02.0093.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2018.02.0093

Interpretive Summary: Poaceae or the grass family is widely distributed and many species have substantial regrowth potential after aerial harvest of stems and leaves, thereby providing a reproducible source of tissues for extraction of nutraceuticals. The goal of this study was to evaluate two amenity grasses (supina bluegrass [Poa supina Schrad.] and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon]) as novel sources for phenolic antioxidants. Nutraceuticals present in grasses are typically extracted from seedlings. This investigation evaluated alterations in phenolic content/composition and antioxidative capacity during seedling growth (0-21 days). Both supina bluegrass and bermudagrass seedlings contained phenolic content comparable to those observed in phenolic-rich fruits and vegetables. Bermudagrass and supina bluegrass seedlings are potential candidates for phenolic nutraceutical development for human health purposes, offering a renewable and novel nutraceutical resource that are easy to grow and maintain.

Technical Abstract: Poaceae encompasses many species with substantial regrowth potential, providing a sustainable source of bioactive agents. Research remains limited on the type of grass providing the highest bioactive yields, the optimal harvest time, and the agents present at these times. There¬fore, the objective of this study was to evaluate two amenity grasses, supina bluegrass (Poa supina Schrad.) and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], as novel sources of dietary bioagents. Considering that bioactives are typi¬cally extracted from seedlings, this investigation evaluated alterations in soluble phenolic content or composition and antioxidative capacity during seedling growth (0–21 d). Both supina bluegrass and bermudagrass seedlings contained total soluble free phenols (TSFP) levels comparable with those present in fruits and vegetables. In bermudagrass, the most apparent changes occurred after 21 d of growth, exhibiting a signifi¬cant spike in TSFP (7.7 mg gallic acid equivalents g-1), total soluble free flavonoids (TSFF, 3.0 mg catechin equivalents g-1), and antioxidant capacity values (96.6 mg trolox equivalents g-1). Kaempferol was abundant throughout the stages and increased to 1.97 mg g-1 at 21 d. Only subtle differences in TSFP, TSFF, and antioxidant capacity were detected during supina bluegrass seedling growth. Analysis of the phenolic profile of supina bluegrass showed increasing ferulic acid (7.75 mg g-1 fresh wt. at 21 d) and caffeic acid (2.15 mg mL-1 fresh wt. at 21 d) over time. These results support that bermudagrass and supina bluegrass seedlings are viable sources for phenolic bioactives.