Accumulation of Chlorogenic Acid as a near UV-shielding Compound in Cauliflower Grown under Enhanced UV-B Radiation

Since solar radiation contains wavelength essential for photosynthesis accompanying with near-UV light, UV-B effects on biological parameters and acclimation mechanisms are influenced by photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Therefore, to elucidate near-UV shielding mechanism in higher plants, we cultivated cauliflower under usual solar radiation and increased UV-B from fluorescent lamps, two- or three-fold excess over continuously estimated UV-B dose in PAR during daytime, using computer regulated systems. Increased UV-B radiation had little effect on growth expressed as fresh weigh and leaf area. Water soluble low molecular weight compounds showing absorption in near UV region were enhanced according to the irradiated UV-B dose. One of compounds in cauliflower leaves was identified as chlorogenic acid. This was found to have no near-UV photosenSitizerable activity and is known to have an ability to scavenge a wide species of active oxygen. Another pro-oxidant compound that generates superoxide anion radical under near-UV irradiation was not induced by increased UV-B during cultivation, and identified as lumazine, a degradation product from folic acid.