Quantitative levels of three major carotane sesquiterpenes, rugosal A (1), rugosic acid A (2) and carota-1, 4-dienaldehyde (3) were determined in leaves of
Rosa rugosa T
HUNB. Carota-1, 4-dienaldehyde (3) increased during the budding and flowering stages, but drastically decreased after flowering. Compound 1 followed after 3 increased and was at a high level over flowering and ripening stages, and their concentrations were sufficient to suppress many fungi. Compound 2 accumulated through leaf maturation, and diminished in colored or falling leaves. Furthermore, leaf detaching or injury caused a rapid oxidation of 3 into 2
via 1. Compound 1 which is actively released from the tissues when the leaves were mechanically damaged and soaked in water seemed to originate mostly from compound 3 in tissues.
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