Contents and morphological distribution of 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one and 2-benzoxazolinone in Acanthus mollis in relation to protection from larvae of Pseudaletia impuncta

Secondary metabolites 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA) and 2-benzoxazolinone (BOA) were quantified in different morphological parts of A. mollis. The highest DIBOA content was determined in the stamens of the flowers (57.0 mumol g(-1) fr. wt). Content of DIBOA in leaves decreased from approximately 28 mumol g(-1) fr. wt for younger leaves (less than 4 wk old), to 3.0 mumol g(-1) fr. wt. for the older ones (more than 13 wk of age). The concentration of BOA was lower than that of DIBOA in all parts of the plant (less than 1.5 mumol g(-1) fr. wt) and showed a small variation. Younger leaves exhibit antifeeding activity against the larvae of Pseudaletia impuncta, a native moth that feeds on cereals. These results suggest that DIBOA protects A. mollis species from phytophagous insects.