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. 2018 Feb 7;13(1):3.
doi: 10.1186/s13021-018-0092-6.

Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo's tropical peat swamp forests

Catherine M Yule  1   2 , Yau Yan Lim  3 , Tse Yuen Lim  3
Affiliations

Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo's tropical peat swamp forests

Catherine M Yule et al. Carbon Balance Manag. .

Abstract

Background: Tropical peat swamp forests (TPSF) are globally significant carbon stores, sequestering carbon mainly as phenolic polymers and phenolic compounds (particularly as lignin and its derivatives) in peat layers, in plants, and in the acidic blackwaters. Previous studies show that TPSF plants have particularly high levels of phenolic compounds which inhibit the decomposition of organic matter and thus promote peat accumulation. The studies of phenolic compounds are thus crucial to further understand how TPSF function with respect to carbon sequestration. Here we present a study of cycling of phenolic compounds in five forests in Borneo differing in flooding and acidity, leaching of phenolic compounds from senescent Macaranga pruinosa leaves, and absorption of phenolics by M. pruinosa seedlings.

Results: The results of the study show that total phenolic content (TPC) in soil and leaves of three species of Macaranga were highest in TPSF followed by freshwater swamp forest and flooded limestone forest, then dry land sites. Highest TPC values were associated with acidity (in TPSF) and waterlogging (in flooded forests). Moreover, phenolic compounds are rapidly leached from fallen senescent leaves, and could be reabsorbed by tree roots and converted into more complex phenolics within the leaves.

Conclusions: Extreme conditions-waterlogging and acidity-may facilitate uptake and synthesis of protective phenolic compounds which are essential for impeded decomposition of organic matter in TPSF. Conversely, the ongoing drainage and degradation of TPSF, particularly for conversion to oil palm plantations, reverses the conditions necessary for peat accretion and carbon sequestration.

Keywords: Flavonoids; Macaranga pruinosa; Malaysia; Phenolic recycling; Tannins.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Location of study sites in Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean TPC values of mature Macaranga leaves in Mulu National Park (± 1 S.D., N = 20). For each species, values followed by the same letter (a, b, c) are not significantly different between forest types at P < 0.05 (Tukey HSD test)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean concentrations (± 1 S.D., N = 20) of phenolic compounds in the mature leaves of M. pruinosa with respect to forest type. For each phenolic compound values followed by the same letter (a, b, c) are not significantly different at P < 0.05 (Tukey HSD test)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Mean TPC, TFC and TTC (± 1 S.D., N = 5) leached from senescent M. pruinosa leaves over time
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Mean TPC values (± 1 S.D., N = 45) of M. pruinosa leaf extracts from seedlings treated with phenolic acids
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Mean TPC values (± 1 S.D. N = 45) of M. pruinosa leaf extracts from seedlings treated with flavonoids
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Variation of phenolic acids and flavonoids in leaves of M. pruinosa seedlings with time following additions of a p-coumaric acid, b ferulic acid, c naringenin, d kaempferol and e quercetin (N = 30)
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
A partial section of the flavonoid pathway showing the formation of compounds of interest (modified from Grotewold and Rausher [20]). Compounds highlighted were identified from TPSF M. pruinosa leaves
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Mean concentrations (± 1 S.D. N = 30) of ferulic acid and quercetin in a seedlings treated with ferulic acid only and b treated with quercetin only
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