ARS | Publication request: AVENANTHRAMIDES IN OAT (AVENA SATIVA), A VALUE ADDED PHYTONUTRIENT

Submitted to: American Oat Workers Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: May 17, 2006
Publication Date: July 25, 2006
Citation: Wise, M.L. 2006. Avenanthramides in oat (Avena sativa), a value added phytonutrient. In: American Oat Workers Program Book. p. 38.

Technical Abstract: Avenanthramides are polyphenolic alkaloids produced uniquely in oat. These metabolites stem from the phenylpropanoid and anthranilic acid biosynthetic pathways. Although numerous avenanthramides have been described, the three principal forms found in oat are conjugates of 5-hydroxy anthranilic acid and either p-coumaric, ferulic or caffeic acid (termed avenanthramide A, B and C respectively). Recent studies have shown that these phytonutrients can reduce exercise induced muscle inflammation in rats. Detailed analysis using cellular model systems have also demonstrated potent anti-atherosclerotic properties as well. Thus, there are likely health benefits from consuming oat with high avenanthramide content. In plants the avenanthramides are found primarily in leaf tissue, in response to fungal infection by the crown rust organism Puccinia coronata, and in the grain. In most oat cultivars all three avenanthramides are found in the grain; however the proportions and absolute quantities are highly variable depending on cultivar and growth environment. To investigate the signaling mechanisms eliciting their biosynthesis and the metabolic flux in this novel biosynthetic pathway we have developed a cell suspension system responsive to chitin elicitation; that system will be described.