Spectroscopic and biochemical characteristics of flax transgenic callus cultures producing PHB

Abstract

Linum usitatissimum L. is a plant used by human since ancient times. Presently flax has both industrial and nutritional significance. The programmes of restoration of flax cultivation and processing are implemented to renew the importance of this plant for agriculture and economy. Genetic engineering methods and techniques of plant tissue cultures can answer this requirement, because they give the opportunity for obtaining of new plants and novel application of them. In the present study the impact of genetic modification of flax plants on the ability of morphogenesis was investigated. The subject of this research remain genetically modified flax plants enriched in poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), interesting biodegradable compound showing bioactive properties and acting as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial factor. Another aim of this study was to characterize chemical and structural properties of callus derived from the engineered plants in comparison to the data obtained for non-transgenic, control callus cultures. The presence of PHB was confirmed by FTIR technique and it was suggested that this polymer may have impact on about 20% higher biomass growth observed for transgenic callus cultures in comparison to control cultures. The level of phenolic compounds was not significantly changed in the transgenic calluses when compared to wild-type cultures. The extracellular matrix (EMC) was noticed for the surface of genetically modified calluses, such structure was not visible for calluses derived from the control cultures. The cellulose in plant cell walls of transgenic calluses was structurally changed, it was not as organized as in control callus, resulting in lower crystallinity index values.