Enhancing Biosynthesis of Flavonol Protective Biomaterials Using FLS Transgenic Plants

Abstract

Flavonol synthase (FLS) gene encodes an enzyme that is involved in conversion substrates into flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol. These substances are a subgroup of flavonoids which have an important role in both plant and human health. Many environmental factors such as temperature, pH and UV-A radiation have been studied and presented relationship with flavonoid synthesis. In this experiment, the combination of visible and UV-A lights was used as factors for elevating flavonoid biosynthesis of wild type (WT) plant and two lines of FLS transgenic plant under tissue culture condition. Both transgenic lines significantly enhanced the accumulation of quercetin and kaempferol substances nearly one fold higher than WT plant did. The photosynthetic pigment levels of chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B and carotenoid in transgenic lines are in the range 45.20-46.88, 16.34-17.04 and 13.63-13.46, while those of WT plants are 35.93, 13.18 and 10.55 (µg/g FW), respectively. Therefore, FLS transgenic plants containing high flavonol content showed a better in the protection photosynthetic pigments by less reductions of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments.