The Enhanced Antioxidant Capacity of Gall Tissues in Litchi chinensis Sonn. as an Adaptive Defence Mechanism Against Mite Infestation

Deepika Gunpal, Vidya Patni

Abstract: Biotic stress, such as herbivory by gall-inducing mites, necessitates a robust defence response in plants. This study investigated the antioxidant activity of normal leaves and leaf galls of Litchi chinensis Sonn. using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Results were expressed as IC50 values and the Antioxidant Activity Index (AAI). The findings demonstrated a significant increase in antioxidant potency within the gall tissues. The Mature Gall stage exhibited the highest activity, with the lowest IC50 value (198.08?5.94 ?g/ml), compared to the Normal Leaf (313.76?9.41 ?g/ml). This enhanced activity is strongly correlated with the localised accumulation of secondary metabolites, suggesting that the mite infestation triggers an active metabolic response by the host plant to synthesise protective compounds. This heightened antioxidant capacity serves as a critical defence mechanism to mitigate oxidative stress and may play a role in maintaining the cellular viability of the gall structure, thereby influencing the host-parasite relationship.

Keywords: Litchi chinensis, Plant defence, Galls, Antioxidant assay, DPPH, IC50 value, Oxidative stress

How to Cite?: Deepika Gunpal, Vidya Patni, "The Enhanced Antioxidant Capacity of Gall Tissues in Litchi chinensis Sonn. as an Adaptive Defence Mechanism Against Mite Infestation", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 100-103, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251130164207, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251130164207