Diploid vs. tetraploid Centaurium erythraea Rafn: A comparative study of regenerative in vitro potential and biosynthetic capacity

Biljana Filipović,Marijana Škorić,Danijela Mišić,Tijana Banjanac,Jasmina Nestorović-Živković,Jelena Božunović,Branislav Šiler

doi:10.5937/leksir1939052f

Abstract

The impact of ploidy level on both the regenerative potential under in vitro conditions and the production of major bioactive specialized metabolites, such as iridoids and xanthones, was examined in Centaurium erythraea Rafn. Shoot regeneration frequency was genotype dependent, but not affected by explant ploidy level. In most cases, the regenerated shoots of autotetraploid (4x) genotypes were more robust than diploid (2x) ones. Regeneration efficiency of root explants declined from the apical to the basal root segment. Shoot and root biomass production of two month-old plants was not significantly different between 2x and 4x genotypes. Both 4x and 2x genotypes were characterized by the predominance of secoiridoid glucoside gentiopicrin in shoots and roots, which is followed by swero-side and swertiamarin. Loganic acid, loganin and secologanin were much less abundant. Methylbel-lidifolin was the major xanthone in both shoots and roots. Diploid plants showed higher biosynthetic capacity for the production of secoiridoids and xanthones in both shoots and roots. Results highlight a higher potential of diploid C. erythraea genotypes for biotechnology-based sustainable production of secoiridoids in comparison to tetraploid genotypes.

Highlights

Centaurium erythraea Rafn, belonging to the family Gentianaceae, is well-known plant for its various important medicinal properties and as a food or flavor additive
Formation of shoots on apical root explants was recorded after 5 weeks in culture (Figure 1), when 4x genotypes displayed regeneration frequencies ranging between 30% and 100%, while in 2x genotypes this frequency was between 40% and 86% (Figure 2a)
Our results indicate that regeneration frequency of centaury root explants might rather be genotype dependent (Figure 2a, 2c), but not affected by explant ploidy level (Figure 2b, 2d)

Summary

Introduction

Centaurium erythraea Rafn (common centaury), belonging to the family Gentianaceae, is well-known plant for its various important medicinal properties and as a food or flavor additive. Aerial parts of common centaury are a rich source of different bioactive specialized metabolites, including terpenoids, phenolics, alkaloids and steroids (Šiler and Mišic, 2016). Polyploids may arise through two generally recognized mechanisms: allopolyploidy, which results from interspecific hybridization and subsequent doubling of non-homologous genomes, and autopolyploidy, resulting from doubling of structurally similar, homologous genomes (Parisod et al, 2010). Autopolyploidy is more common in plants than traditionally assumed, but has received little attention compared with allopolyploidy (Parisod et al, 2010). Autopolyploidy can lead to changes in cytological, biochemical, physiological and developmental characteristics in many species, including conspicuous changes in morphology and metabolite production (Lavania, 2005; Sun et al, 2011)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion