Secondary metabolites biosynthesized by spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) and the in vitro culture: A review

Abstract

Spinach belongs to the taxonomic family Amaranthaceae. It is an annual, fast-growing leafy vegetable considered to havehigh nutritional value. Its international production according to FAO estimates was 14 million tons, with China being thefirst producer (85%), followed by the United States (2.6%), Japan (2.2%) and Turkey (1.6%); while, in Mexico, in 2020 it was49,313 tons (+27.3% compared to 2019) obtained from 2,853 ha harvested (+16.6%), so the national average yield was 17.3ton/ha ( +9.2%). The main phytochemical constituents of spinach predominantly associated with the quality of spinach aretotal flavonoids, total phenolics and total carotenoids, due to their antioxidant activity (Bergquist, 2006). Its valuablemedicinal properties include anticancer, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anticancer, antibacterial,hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, and suppressors of the Central Nervous System. The present work is a review on theorigin, medicinal properties, agronomic profile, profile of biosynthesized primary and secondary metabolites, in vitro cultureof Spinacea oleracea and data on the phytochemical composition of the secondary metabolites of spinach detected byanalytical techniques