Abstract

Fatty acids and lipid-derived signaling molecules are crucial in plant-insect interactions; however, their dynamic changes during lac insect infestation are inadequately understood. The present preliminary investigation revealed distinct temporal shifts in the fatty acid profiles of Flemingia semialata Roxb. ex W.T. Aiton bark following infestation by the Indian lac insect Kerria lacca (Kerr), as determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. Comparative analysis with non-infested controls across 3 time points (7, 14, and 21 days) indicated progressive biochemical alterations associated with insect infestation. In association with the pronounced reduction of major saturated fatty acids in plants, in particular palmitic and stearic acids, an increased abundance of myristic acid and a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and α-linolenic acids, was observed following lac insect infestation of the bark. The results indicate that lac infestation may reflect a robust lipid-based response in the host plant F. semialata bark, mediated by coordinated modulation of polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, oxylipin precursor concentrations, and fatty acid ratios. The present study shows a biochemical framework for lipid-induced host responses in the context of lac insect infestation. Further studies that combine metabolomic and functional analyses will provide a better understanding of the impact of fatty acid remodelling on plant defence capacity and the long-term interactions between host plants and lac insects.

Key words: Fatty acids, Kerria lacca, Plant-insect interaction, GC-MS Analysis, Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).