Abstract
Wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a widespread Mediterranean plant that accumulates inulin in its roots. This study aimed to analyze the enzyme systems involved in inulin metabolism in the roots of one Sicilian wild cardoon population in relation to the plant’s growth and development stages. During the winter season, the plant showed slow growth; its biomass was represented mainly by leaves and saccharides were mobilized into its roots. During the spring season, the plant doubled its growth rate and differentiated its reproduction organs as a consequence of the cold conditions. The maximum activities of the 1-SST were recorded in line with the high sucrose and inulin levels in roots, which increased quickly. The increase in the 1-FEH activity suggests that fructan-hydrolyzing activity is associated with the sprouting and elongation of plant stalks. The peak of the invertase activity occurred before the 1-FEH peak. The inulin accumulation in the wild cardoon roots was associated with the plant’s reproduction. Sequential 1-SST and 1-FEH activities and the involvement of invertase and 1-FFT in carbohydrate mobilization, in response to the additional energy demand of the plant for stalk elongation before and for capitula development were observed, along with subsequent grain ripening.
Highlights
Fructans are linear or branched polymers of repeating fructose residues connected by β (2–1) and/or β (2–6) fructosylfructose linkages, optionally including one terminal glucosyl unit
In dicot species belonging to the Asteraceae, including chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) [9], dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), dahlia (Dalia variabilis), yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia) [10], and Cynara cardunculus taxa [11,12,13], inulin is often stored in specialized organs, such as taproot, bulbs, and capitula
The role played by sugars in roots related to inulin-metabolizing enzymes and plant growth rate in C. cardunculus var
Summary
Fructans are linear or branched polymers of repeating fructose residues connected by β (2–1) and/or β (2–6) fructosylfructose linkages, optionally including one terminal glucosyl unit. Inulin is a type of fructan constituted by fructose units that features mostly or exclusively the β (2 → 1) fructosyl-fructose linkage It is essentially a linear polymer, but can branch with β (2 → 6) linkages at a low degree of polymerization. In dicot species belonging to the Asteraceae, including chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) [9], dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), dahlia (Dalia variabilis), yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia) [10], and Cynara cardunculus taxa [11,12,13], inulin is often stored in specialized organs, such as taproot, bulbs, and capitula. Inulin from these storage organs is used as a carbon source during regrowth and for sprouting in the spring
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