Plants synthesize a variety of secondary metabolites that are involved in plant defense against pathogens and pests. Stressors such as drought, temperature, and plant diseases can affect the production and composition of plant secondary metabolites, thus affecting plant ability to withstand disturbances. With the increase in population and urbanization, new stressors such as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) become important based on their significant impact on agroecosystems. While the fate, toxicity, and plant uptake of many CECs has been studied, the effect of these anthropogenic contaminants on plant secondary metabolites production is still poorly understood. However, CECs induced changes of plant defense metabolites can have an impact on plant-biotic interactions and ultimately plant’s ability to protect itself from pest attacks. Here we present a study of CECs effect on plant secondary metabolite profile in yellow mustard (<i>Sinapis alba</i>). Yellow mustard contains glucosinolates, a sulfur containing group of compounds that in the presence of endogenous enzyme myrosinase produce a range of pesticidal isothiocyanates. To understand the effect of CECs on glucosinolates, yellow mustard plants grown under greenhouse settings were spiked with individual chemicals to represent a point source contamination. Five veterinary antibiotics (chlortetracycline, monensin, sulfadimethoxine, two antimicrobial agents (triclocarb, triclosan), and three perfluorinated substances (perfluoroundecanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, heptafluorobutyric acid) were evaluated in the study. After 6 weeks exposure, plants were harvested and secondary metabolites profile in roots and shoots were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography / high resolution mass spectrometry. Concentrations of CECs in soil and plant organs were measured to account for CECs plant uptake and CECs availability in soil. Based on glucosinolate profile, significant changes were observed in plants subjected to CECs soil contamination. Different type of glucosinolates (aliphatic, aromatic, or indolic) were affected by a specific chemical.

Effect of contaminants of emerging concern in soils on plant secondary metabolites profile

ACS Fall 2021

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