Seasonal changes in organic constituents in leaves of nine mangrove species

Abstract

Seasonal variations in protein, polyphenol and tannin concentrations in leaves of nine mangrove species of Rhizophoraceae (Bruguiera cylindrica, B. gymnorrhiza, B. parviflora, B. sexangula, Ceriops decandra, C. tagal, Kandelia candel, Rhizophora apiculataandR. mucronata) are reported. Mean protein concentration varied from 0.108 g g^-1 dry wt in B. cylindrica to 0.231 g g^-1 dry wt in B. sexangula; mean polyphenol concentration ranged from 0.111 g g^-1 dry wt in B. sexangula to 0.488 g g^-1 dry wt in C. decandra, and mean tannin concentration from 0.088 g g ^-1 dry wt in B. parviflora to 0.408 g g^-1 dry wt in B. sexangula. Concentrations of these organic constituents in leaf tissues were highest during the rainy season: Bruguiera sexangula had the highest concentration of protein (0.291 g g^-1 dry wt) and tannin (0.441 g g^-1 dry wt) and C. decandra the highest concentration of polyphenols (0.528 g g^-1 dry wt). Significant variation in organic constituents was observed among the species in different seasons and protein concentration was negatively correlated with polyphenols and tannin.