Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effect of different types of light and MeJA treatment on the accumulation of betulin and oleanolic acid in various organs of white birch. Our results showed that betulin and oleanolic were accumulated mainly in the stalk skin. The content of both substances in the stalk skin was significantly affected by seasons with a peak accumulation in August. The content of oleanolic and betulin was significantly decreased in the stem skin treated with 4 types of light (red, yellow, blue and green) compared with the plant with normal illumination. In contrast, oleanolic acid in leaves was increased by 13.28 folds when the white birch was treated with green light. Betulin was increased by 1.959 folds in leaves of white birch treated with blue light. The highest content of betulin and oleanolic acid in various organs of birch with appropriate shading treatment (light transmittance: 50%) was increased by 45.09% and 30.50%, respectively, in comparison with those with non-shading treatment. Content of oleanolic acid and betulin can be significantly improved in various parts of birch after treatment with different concentration of MeJA. The study lays the foundation to metabolic regulation of oleanolic acid and betulin in birch.
Highlights
Betulin and oleanolic, widely distributed in the plant kingdom, are pentacyclic triterpenes compounds, belonging to lupane and oleanane type, respectively
Green light slightly decreased the synthesis of betulin in leaves, while the red, yellow and blue light can increase the content of betulin in the leaves of birch
The DPS7.50 software and Duncan’s method for difference between treatment significant variance analysis were used. These results showed that betulin and oleanolic were accumulated mainly in the stalk skin
Summary
Widely distributed in the plant kingdom, are pentacyclic triterpenes compounds, belonging to lupane and oleanane type, respectively. Because oleanolic acid and betulin are natural products of plants, they can selectively inhibit tumor cell growth with low toxicity on normal cells. These substances can be developed into novel drugs with broad clinical applications. Light is an important factor affecting growth, organogenesis and the formation of plant products including both primary and secondary metabolites. Studies have proved that endogenous elicitors methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can induce plant stress resistance, anti-worms and microbial infection and plant defense system [20,21], and promote the synthesis of secondary metabolites. We used 1-year-old white birch to study the effect of light and MeJA treatment on the accumulation of oleanolic acid and betulin. We expected to reveal the synthesis and regulation mechanism of betulin and oleanolic acid in white birch
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
