Ac. Douillet-breuil et al., Changes in the phytoalexin content of various Vitis spp. in response to ultraviolet C elicitation, J AGR FOOD, 47(10), 1999, pp. 4456-4461
The phytoalexin production potential of three American Vitis species and th
at of three cultivars of Vitis vinifera were evaluated in response to UV-C
irradiation. Time course changes in resveratrol, piceid, epsilon-viniferin,
and pterostilbene contents were studied within 3 days after a short UV-C i
rradiation. Results show that the two major stilbenes accumulated as a resp
onse to UV-C elicitation are resveratrol and epsilon-viniferin, a resveratr
ol dehydrodimer, the concentration of both compounds usually reaching quant
ities > 100 mu g/g of fresh weight. In contrast, piceid and pterostilbene w
ere constantly produced in low quantities. Owing to the results obtained, t
he role of stilbene phytoalexins in the resistance of grapevines to disease
s is discussed.