Abstract
L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is as essential to plants as it is to animals. Ascorbic acid functions as a major redox buffer and as a cofactor for enzymes involved in regulating photosynthesis, hormone biosynthesis, and regenerating other antioxidants. Ascorbic acid regulates cell division and growth and is involved in signal transduction. In contrast to the single pathway responsible for ascorbic acid biosynthesis in animals, plants use multiple pathways to synthesize ascorbic acid, perhaps reflecting the importance of this molecule to plant health. Given the importance of ascorbic acid to human nutrition, several technologies have been developed to increase the ascorbic acid content of plants through the manipulation of biosynthetic or recycling pathways. This paper provides an overview of these approaches as well as the consequences that changes in ascorbic acid content have on plant growth and function. Discussed is the capacity of plants to tolerate changes in ascorbic acid content. The many functions that ascorbic acid serves in plants, however, will require highly targeted approaches to improve their nutritional quality without compromising their health.
Highlights
Vitamin C ( -ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble antioxidant that serves a predominantly protective role
The symptoms associated with severe vitamin C de ciency, for example, weak joints, bleeding gums, and skin discoloration due to ruptured blood vessels, had been observed and described as early as 1497 by Vasco da Gama among his crew during their voyage around the southern tip of Africa to India, it was not until 1747 that James Lind demonstrated that consumption of citrus fruit prevented or cured the disorders associated with scurvy
Plants can tolerate moderate changes to the endogenous level of Asc, such alterations are not without consequences as might be expected for a molecule so inextricably linked to plant growth and health. is paper will examine and evaluate the approaches that have been used to increase Asc content in plants including those that have focused on increasing Asc biosynthesis as well as those that have targeted the efficiency of Asc recycling. e consequences of altering Asc levels on plant growth and development, health, and their ability to respond to environmental stress will be presented
Summary
Vitamin C ( -ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble antioxidant that serves a predominantly protective role. Asc is essential for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth and during wound healing. It is important in increasing the absorption of nonheme iron from plant-based foods. As plant-based foods constitute the principle source of vitamin C in human diets, the possibility of increasing the Asc content of plants to improve their nutritive value has received considerable attention in recent years [11,12,13]. E consequences of altering Asc levels on plant growth and development, health, and their ability to respond to environmental stress will be presented Plants can tolerate moderate changes to the endogenous level of Asc, such alterations are not without consequences as might be expected for a molecule so inextricably linked to plant growth and health. is paper will examine and evaluate the approaches that have been used to increase Asc content in plants including those that have focused on increasing Asc biosynthesis as well as those that have targeted the efficiency of Asc recycling. e consequences of altering Asc levels on plant growth and development, health, and their ability to respond to environmental stress will be presented
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