- Secondary Metabolites - "natural products", "not involved in development or maitenance... used for intervention in ecological interactions."
- Used to attract pollenators or deter pretetors.
- Terpenes: (Limu lipoa, essential oils, saponins, cardenolides), strong smell.
- Phenolics: Kelp (Ecklonia radiata), tannins, flavonoids, cinnanic acid.
- N - containing compounds: nicotine, morphine, caffeine.
- Phenolics serve for plants: UV protection, herbivore deterrence, oxidative stress relief.
- For humans: Flavor, preservatives, medicine, anti-nutrients.
- Disease-preventative compounds in diet.
- Globalization of food is decreasing the amount of secondary metabolites in food.
- Return to traditional diets can help return to better health. (healthier foods or containing more beneficial secondary metabolites.)
- 29 wild species of limu (seaweed) in precontact hawaii.
- polyphenols strongest antioxidant in Limu.
- polyphenols interact with blood glucose and break down starches.
- Antioxidants scavenge free radicals. (free radicals damage healthy cells)
- Larger amount of natural products in algae than in land plants.
Research
- Collected samples of seaweed and tested for antioxidant power.
- Ongoing research interviewing high school students on if they or their family have gathered limu.
- Waianae High School had a higher level of parents and grandparents that collected limu than at Campbell High.
- Next part of research: How do nitrogen levels affect phenolics?
- How does nitrogen loading of nearshore coastal ecosystems influence the growth and the secondary metabolism of limu kohu?
- Hypothesis: Increased N increases growth and decreases phenolics.
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