Role of phenolic acid during dehydration and rehydration of Ramonda serbica

Ramonda serbica Panc. is a poikilohydric, so called "resurrection plant" because of its desiccation tolerance. It belongs to a small group of poikilohydric angiosperms of the northern hemisphere. This species is a perennial herbaceous shade-adapted plant, considered as homoiochlorophyllous poikilohydric plant, since it preserves more than 80% of the chlorophyll content during dehydration. Following drought there is an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species in the tissues. To defend against oxidants plants have low-molecular mass antioxidants and protective enzymes which catalyse the elimination of ROS in the cells. Phenolic acids are simple polyphenols. The polyphenolic structure allows the scavenging of radical species and functions as metal chelators. the antioxidative effect of flavonoids lies in their radical-scavenging properties towards all types of oxidising radicals. This action becomes particularly important during water depletion since superoxide radical increase. The aim of the present research is to evaluate in Ramonda serbica the role of phenolic acid in the tolerance to desiccation compared with that of the more studied antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione.