Curcumin Protects UV Related Effects on the Plant Leafs Delayed Fluorescence.

Dr. Rao V. L. Papineni Carestream Health Inc.

E-Mail: rao.papineni1@carestreamhealth.com

Delayed fluorescence of green plants also known as delayed luminescence, or afterglow is a phenomenon discovered six decades ago. Delayed florescence is emitted by the chlorophyll a molecules in PS2 antennae and has similar spectral properties as that of the chlorophyll a fluorescence, known as the prompt fluorescence. The fluorescence emission of the former prevails for several minutes even after the illumination is stopped, while the latters emission ends immediately as the illumination stops. We have employed planar optical imaging techniques to register the delayed fluorescence of whole leaf non-invasively by capturing the luminescence emission of the detached plant leaf in the dark using commercially available imaging system with cooled CCD camera. The luminescence imaging of detached leaves was performed to determine the effects of UV stress on leaves. Whole leaves with the stalk were immersed in water and exposed to UVA rays for a varying period of time (up to 30 minutes). Here, we show that the UVA rays have reversible effect on the delayed fluorescence. This is concomitant with the irreversible leaf discoloration resulting from the UVA radiation. Further, we demonstrate that infiltration of curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of turmeric protects leaf from the above UV effects on the whole leaves. Predominant amounts of herbicides used in agriculture are inhibitors of photosynthesis acting on the chlorophyll functions. The imaging technologies described here can potentially be used for screening new herbicides and for sensitive detection of herbicide efficiencies. Dr. Rao Papineni, Sean Orton, William Mclaughlin, Dr John Pizzonia, Dr. Douglas Vizard and Benjamin Geldhof.
"Molecular Imaging - Wisdom to See For Maladies to Flee" Dr. Rao V. L. Papineni