Gall inducer Dasineura sp. alters the polyphenol profile and antioxidant activity of Peumus boldus stems.

This article focuses on the effects of the galling insect Dasineura sp. on the accumulation, chemical profile, and antioxidant activity of polyphenols in stems of Peumus boldus, a Chilean medicinal tree rich in alkaloids and antioxidant polyphenols. The study found that Dasineura sp. induces spatial redistribution of polyphenols, flavonols, and lignin toward sites of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during gall development, without significantly altering total polyphenol content between galled and non-galled stems. However, the insect causes changes in the profile and concentration of soluble polyphenols, leading to decreased antioxidant capacity in gall extracts during maturation and senescence stages, while lignin deposition increases in peripheral gall tissues to aid ROS dissipation. These findings suggest that Dasineura sp. manipulates host antioxidant mechanisms to mitigate oxidative stress, restoring redox balance in galls and ensuring its developmental success.