Methyl Eugenol: Its Occurrence, Distribution, and Role in Nature, Especially in Relation to Insect Behavior and Pollination

Author: mycolabadmin
2012-04-24
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Summary

This research examines methyl eugenol (ME), a chemical compound found naturally in many plants that plays important roles in plant defense and insect attraction. The study reveals how this single compound serves multiple purposes in nature – from protecting plants against pests and diseases to helping certain orchids attract specific insects for pollination. Impact on everyday life: • ME is commonly found in spices and herbs used in cooking and flavoring • Understanding ME helps develop better natural pest control methods for agriculture • This knowledge aids in conservation of orchid species that depend on ME for reproduction • ME has potential medical applications in treating brain injury and inflammation • The research helps ensure safe levels of ME in food products since high doses can be harmful

Background

Plants produce a huge array of chemicals, numbering tens of thousands, primarily for defense against herbivores and pathogens as well as for production of floral fragrance to attract pollinators. Among them is a class of phenolics that consists of phenylpropanoids, which have numerous functions in plants ranging from structural constituents to growth, reproduction, and chemoecological interactions with microbes, animals (particularly insects), and neighboring plants. Methyl eugenol (ME) is a common phenylpropanoid found in many plant species, particularly in spices and medicinal plants.

Objective

This review discusses the occurrence and distribution of methyl eugenol in different plant species (>450) from 80 families spanning many plant orders, as well as various roles this chemical plays in nature, especially in the interactions between tephritid fruit flies and plants.

Results

Over 450 plant species from 80 families spanning 38 plant orders were found to contain varying amounts of ME in essential oils from leaves, roots, stems, flowers, or whole plant extracts. ME content varies greatly within and between species as well as within and between plant families. Several species have ME content over 90% in essential oils. The chemical plays multiple roles including plant defense against pathogens and herbivores, as an insect attractant, and in pollination, particularly for certain orchid species.

Conclusion

ME is widely distributed across plant families but its distribution within plants is uneven and varies greatly by growth stage and variety. It serves multiple ecological functions including chemical defense against pathogens and herbivores, as an insect antifeedant/repellant, and in pollination. ME acts as a floral synomone in the coevolution of Bulbophyllum orchids with fruit flies. More research is needed to fully understand the biochemical, physiological and chemoecological basis for plant-insect interactions mediated by ME.

Published in:Journal of Insect Science,
Study Type:Review,
Source: 10.1673/031.012.5601