Leaf pigments and concentrations of phenolic compound in Begonia grandis plantlets obtained from the floral explants

Abstract

The objective of this study was to design a protocol of the successful establishment of plants of Begonia grandis dry. in culture in vitro, and to evaluate the concentrations of chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, as well as the ratios of chlorophyll a/b, total chlorophyll/carotenoids and total chlorophyll/anthocyanins in the in vitro plantlets in comparison to the same parameters assessed in the leaves of greenhouse plants. A significant increase in the percentage of shoot formation (22.0 ± 1.5%) was recorded on the modified N6 medium supplemented with plant growth regulators in comparison with the standard breeding technology. Begonia grandis plantlets possessed the elevated contents of all photosynthetic pigments per unit mass of plant compared to the greenhouse plants. The increase in chlorophyll b was most substantial. The average anthocyanin concentrations in the plantlets and greenhouse plants were approximately equal, but the essential variation within B. grandis microclones was observed. Phenolic profiles of in vitro plantlets and greenhouse plants was rather similar. Concentrations per unit mass for the majority of components (especially organic and phenolic acids) in the plantlets increased in comparison to those in greenhouse plants (47.23 and 38.22 mg g−1 total phenolics, respectively). Overall data suggest that this protocol can be used for the production of a large number of plants of B. grandis in a good physiological state and with high phenolic content. Graphical abstract