Abstract
Brosimum gaudichaudii is a plant species with medicinal relevance due to its furanocoumarin accumulation. The accumulation of these compounds in the root promotes predatory extractivism, which threatens the conservation of the species. In addition, little is known about the conditions for culturing of this species in vitro. The present study aimed to investigate how the application of different spectra of LEDs (white, blue, red, and combinations of blue and red at 1:1 and 3:1 ratios) can impact the morphophysiological and biochemical characteristics of B. gaudichaudii under different in vitro conditions. To evaluate the production of furanocoumarins in its leaves, which are easy-to-collect perennial organs, we cultured nodal segments in 50-mL tubes with MS medium under 100 μmol m−2 s−1 light and a photoperiod of 16 h for 50 days. We then submitted the seedlings biometric, anatomical, biochemical, and physiological evaluations. The different spectral qualities influenced several characteristics of the seedlings. Plants grown under red light showed greater stem elongation and larger and thinner leaves, strategies aimed at capturing a higher ratio of radiant energy. Exposure to the blue/red ratio of 1:1 induced increases in the concentration of the furanocoumarin psoralen, probably due to the diversion of carbon from primary metabolism, which resulted in lower growth. Cultivation under blue light or blue:red light at 3:1 triggered anatomical and physiological changes that led to higher production of secondary metabolites in the leaves, and at the 3:1 ratio, the seedlings also had a high growth rate. These results highlight the fundamental role of light in stimulating the production of secondary metabolites, which has important implications for the production of compounds of interest and indirect consequences for the conservation of B. gaudichaudii.
Highlights
In Brazil, scientific approaches to the cultivation of medicinal Cerrado species are still limited, even though it is an extremely diverse and heterogeneous biome
Based on the above and considering the risk that predatory extractivism poses to the conservation of B. gaudichaudii, the present study aimed to investigate the changes triggered by light in the physiology and anatomy of this species, verifying how these changes favor the production of furanocoumarins in B. gaudichaudii seedlings cultivated in vitro
The roots are the organ traditionally associated with furanocoumarin accumulation, this study focused on leaves, which are easyto-collect perennial organs, aiming to provide a viable and sustainable alternative for the commercial use of this species
Summary
In Brazil, scientific approaches to the cultivation of medicinal Cerrado species are still limited, even though it is an extremely diverse and heterogeneous biome. Among the native Brazilian species with medicinal potential is Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul, a tree species that can reach up to 10 m in height. It belongs to the Moraceae family and is popularly known as mama-cadela. Recent studies have identified this species as one of the most promising in the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases due to its high production of furanocoumarins, and there is already a patent application for the development of drugs using B. gaudichaudii (Ribeiro et al, 2017; Morais et al, 2018; Quintão et al, 2019). As well as other furanocoumarin compounds, exert their photosensitizing effects by covalently bonding DNA, which is triggered by light of specific wavelengths (320–410 nm) (da Silva et al, 2009)
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