Khoa Nguyen Van: Environmental influences on bioactive compound production in Actinidia polygama

Like catnip (Nepeta cataria), silver vine can attract cats and induce “the catnip response”, including licking, sniffing, rubbing, and rolling over the source of the compound. These behaviours are mainly associated with cis-trans nepetalactol, a precursor of nepetalactone and a member of the monoterpene iridoid class.

Although it has strong effects on cat behaviours, it is also a secondary metabolite believed to contribute to plant defence and the plant’s biological fitness. There is limited information regarding seasonal changes of cis-trans nepetalactol production in A. polygama under field conditions.</p>