Explore the chemical properties of (+)-abscisic acid and its biological applications

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to popularize the chemical properties of (+)-abscisic acid acid and its application in the field of biology. First, we will introduce the chemical structure, physical properties, and chemical stability of (+) -abscisic acid in detail. Then, we will discuss its mechanism and practical application in plant growth regulation and stress adaptability improvement. Finally, we will summarize its application prospects in agricultural production, environmental protection, and other fields.

Introduction

Plant hormones are a kind of trace organic substances in plants, which play a vital role in the growth and development of plants. (+) -abscisic acid, as one of the five natural plant growth regulators, has attracted wide attention due to its unique functions and extensive biological activities in plants. This paper will introduce its science popularization from the Angle of chemical properties, and discuss its application in the field of biology.¹

Chemical properties

Chemical structure

(+)-Abscisic acid, C₁₅H₂₀O_4. Its molecular structure contains two unsaturated double bonds, one hydroxyl group, and one carboxyl group. Its molecular structure determines its unique chemical properties and biological activities.

Physical property

(+)-Abscisic acid is a pale solid powder at room temperature and pressure, with a melting point of about 163°C. It is soluble in methanol, ethanol, acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and other organic solvents, and slightly soluble in water. In addition, it is sensitive to light and belongs to strong light decomposition compounds.

Chemical stability

(+)-Abscisic acid in the storage process should avoid contact with strong oxidants, acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, carbon dioxide, and other substances, to avoid chemical reactions leading to deterioration. At the same time, it should be stored in a dry, cool, and dark environment to maintain its stability.²

Biological functions and applications

Plant growth regulation

(+)-Abscisic acid, as a plant hormone that inhibits growth, plays a significant role in plant growth and development. It promotes the shedding of leaves, flowers, and fruits, which helps plants protect themselves in stressful conditions. In addition, it can promote the dormancy of perennial woody plants and seeds, and improve the adaptability of plants to adverse environmental conditions such as low temperature, high temperature, drought, waterlogging, and salt.

In agricultural production, (+) -abscisic acid is widely used to improve crop stress resistance and yield. For example, when growing crops in arid areas, application can increase the drought resistance of the crops and reduce water evaporation, thus increasing crop yields. In addition, it can also be used to promote the early ripening of crops and extend the dormant period to adapt to different climatic conditions and market demands.³

Improved adaptability to adversity

(+)-Abscisic acid also plays an important role in improving plant resilience to stress. When plants are subjected to low temperature, drought, salt, and alkali stress, it can induce the re-synthesis of certain enzymes in plants, and thus increase the cold resistance, flood resistance, and salt resistance of plants. This mechanism is helpful to improve the survival ability and growth quality of plants under adverse conditions.

In recent years, with the increasingly serious environmental problems, the improvement of plant adaptability to stress has become a hot issue in agricultural production. (+) -abscisic acid, as an effective stress adaptation enhancer, has broad application prospects in agricultural production. Through application, it can improve the resistance of crops to adversity stress and reduce the impact of the environment on agricultural production, to achieve sustainable development of agriculture.⁴

Other biological applications

In addition to the above applications, (+) -abscisic acid also plays an important role in plant cell differentiation and stomatal closure. For example, (+) -abscisic acid can prevent gibberellanic acid and cytokinin from promoting the growth of plant cells, thereby controlling the growth of plant organs. In addition, the signal transduction pathway of stomatal closure can be regulated to promote stomatal closure and inhibit stomatal opening, thus affecting photosynthesis and transpiration of plants.⁵

Conclusion and Prospect

(+)-Abscisic acid, as an important plant hormone, plays an indispensable role in plant growth and development. Through the in-depth understanding and study of its chemical properties, we can better grasp its application law and action mechanism in the field of biology. In the future, with the continuous development of science and technology and the needs of agricultural production, the application prospects of (+)-abscisic acid in agricultural production, environmental protection, and other fields will be broader. At the same time, we also need to further explore its mechanism of action and regulation to better serve agricultural production and social development.

References

[1].Pei Z M , Murata Y , Benning G ,et al.Calcium channels activated by hydrogen peroxide mediate abscisic acid signalling in guard cells.[J].Nature, 2000, 406(6797):731-4.

[2].Ma Y , Szostkiewicz I , Korte A ,et al.Regulators of PP2C Phosphatase Activity Function as Abscisic Acid Sensors[J]. Science, 2009, 324(5930):1064-1068.

[3].Mustilli A C , Merlot S , Vavasseur A ,et al.Arabidopsis OST1 Protein Kinase Mediates the Regulation of Stomatal Aperture by Abscisic Acid and Acts Upstream of Reactive Oxygen Species Production[J]. THE PLANT CELL ONLINE, 2002, 14(12):3089-3099.

[4].Kang,J.-y.Arabidopsis Basic Leucine Zipper Proteins That Mediate Stress-Responsive Abscisic Acid Signaling[J].Plant Cell, 2002, 14(2):343-357.

[5].Finkelstein R R , Gampala S S L , Rock C D .Abscisic acid signaling in seeds and seedlings.[J].The Plant Cell, 2002(suppl_1): suppl_1.

You may like