Production of stilbenoids and phenolic acids by the peanut plant at early stages of growth.

The peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea) is known to produce stilbene phytoalexins as a defensive response to fungal invasion; however, the distribution of phytoalexins among different organs of the peanut plant at early stages of growth under axenic conditions has not been studied. Axenic plants produced a stilbenoid, resveratrol, as well as soluble bound and free phenolic acids, including 4-methoxycinnamic acid, which is reported in peanuts for the first time. Neither resveratrol nor phenolic acids were found in the root mucilage; the prenylated stilbenes were restricted to the mucilage and were not found in other organs of the peanut plant. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the defensive role of peanut stilbenes and phenolic acids.