Phenolic Profiles and Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) Gene Expression of Red Clover (<i>Trifolium pratense</i>) Selected for Decreased Postharvest Browning

Abstract

Red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) is a legume forage abundant in phenolic compounds. It tends to brown when cut for hay, due to oxidation of phenolic compounds catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and subsequent binding to proteins. Selecting for a greener hay may provide information about the relationship of browning, PPO, and phenolics to each other. The red clover Kenland cultivar was selected over eight breeding cycles for decreased browning after being cut and dried 48 h in the field. Expression of PPO1 and PPO3, in Kenland and three of the eight cycles, was compared by real-time quantitative PCR. Phenolic compounds in Kenland and Cycle 8, collected 0, 24, and 48 h after cutting, were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Visual browning scores decreased 12% between Kenland and Cycle 8 (P = 0.02). PPO1 and PPO3 gene expression were not affected by selection. Clovamide decreased 26% in Cycle 8 relative to Kenland (P = 0.016). Sissotrin decreased 10% in Cycle 8 (P = 0.043). Neither total formononetin nor total biochanin A was affected by selection (P = 0.63 and 0.45, respectively). These results suggest that when selecting clover for decreased postharvest browning, a decrease occurs in a phenolic compound that can bind protein independently of PPO. However, PPO1 and PPO3 gene expression, and the major red clover isoflavones, are minimally affected.