Secondary Metabolite Profiles Research Articles

Influence of foliar glutathione and putrescine on metabolism and mineral status of genetically diverse rapeseed cultivars under hexavalent chromium stress.

We studied the physio-biochemical involvement of exogenous signaling compounds, glutathione and putrescine (alone and in combination), on three contrasting genotypes (cvs. Shiralee, Rainbow, and Dunkled) of canola (Brassica napus L.) of plants exposed to chromium stress. Seeds were germinated in Cr-contaminated soil (0 and 50 μg/g Cr6+), and both signaling compounds were applied as a foliar spray to 20-day-old plants. Changes in root, stem, and leaf nitro-oxidative metabolism, endogenous GSH level, secondary metabolites, and mineral nutrients were investigated from 60-day-old plants. Exposure to Cr6+ increased stem GSH and NO concentrations in all cultivars. Maximum root Cr6+ bioaccumulation was recorded in cv. Rainbow and the least in cv. Shiralee. Also, Cr6+ stress decreased number and weight of seeds and pod length. Disturbances in root and shoot mineral profile were evident; however, its magnitude varied in all cultivars. The exogenous GSH improved root and shoot P, Fe, S, and Zn concentrations; however, the effect was cultivar specific. Leaf endogenous GSH was increased by exogenous GSH while NO levels remained unaffected. The GSH application also promoted shoot Cr6+ bioaccumulation while PUT application caused a recovery in seed number and seed weight. Both PUT and GSH differentially affected tissue-specific secondary metabolite profile. Overall, the exogenous GSH was much more effective in alleviating the Cr+6 toxicity in canola.

Plant architecture manipulation increases cannabinoid standardization in ‘drug-type’ medical cannabis

A major challenge in utilizing cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) for modern medicine is the lack of standardization throughout the plant of cannabinoids, the unique therapeutic secondary metabolites in cannabis. The present study focused on the interplay between plant architecture modulation and standardization of the secondary metabolite profile in medical cannabis plants. Secondary metabolism is considerably affected by endogenous and exogenous factors, including positional-developmental aspects and microclimate. We hypothesized that manipulation of the plant architecture, which alter morphological and reproductive development, as well as micro-climate in the shoot will impact secondary metabolism and spatial standardization of the cannabinoids. Eight plant architecture-modulation treatments were evaluated for effects on in-planta concentrations and standardization of the cannabinoids, and on the morpho-physiological state of the plants. Two medical-cannabis genotypes of 'drug-type' medical cannabis were analyzed to evaluate genotypic sensitivity. The results reveal that plant architecture modulation can increase standardization of the cannabinoid profile in cannabis, thereby supporting the hypothesis. The architectural modulating treatments increased uniformity of cannabinoid concentrations in the plant by increasing concentrations at the lower parts of the plant. The cannabinoid profile was most affected by treatments that had the largest impact on plant structure such as the removal of primary and secondary branches. Decarboxylation of the cannabinoids in-planta was not affected by structural modulation. The spatial uniformity of cannabinoid concentrations throughout the cannabis plant is cannabinoid and genotype specific, and the effect of architecture modulation on cannabinoid standardization is genotype specific.

Chemoprofiling as Breeding Tool for Pharmaceutical Use of Salix.

Willow bark is traditionally used for pharmaceutical purposes. Evaluation is so far based on the salicylate content, however, health promoting effects of extracts might be attributed to the interaction of those salicylates with other compounds, which support and complement their action. So far, only S. purpurea, S. daphnoides, and S. fragilis are included in pharmaceutical extracts. Crossing with other species could result in a more diverse secondary metabolite profile with higher pharmacological value. With the help of targeted inter- and intraspecific crossing, new chemotypes were generated, whereby nine different Salix genotypes (S. alba, S. daphnoides, S. humboldtiana, S. lasiandra, S. nigra, S. pentandra, S. purpurea, S. x rubens, S. viminalis) were included in the study. Based on substances known for their health promoting potential and characteristic for Salix (selected phenolic compounds including salicylates), a targeted metabolomics analysis and clustering of 92 generated Salix clones was performed revealing four different cluster/chemoprofiles. In more specific, one group is formed by S. daphnoides clones and inter- and intraspecific hybrids, a second group by S. viminalis clones and inter- and intraspecific hybrids, a third group generally formed by S. alba, S. pentandra, S. x rubens, and S. lasiandra clones and hybrids, and a fourth group by S. purpurea clones and inter- and intraspecific hybrids. Clustering on the basis of the selected phenolic compounds can be used for identifying Salix clones with a different compound profile. New combinations of secondary plant metabolites offer the chance to identify Salix crosses with improved effects on human health.

Evaluation of ethnopharmacologically selected Vitex negundo L. for In vitro antimalarial activity and secondary metabolite profiling

Ethanopharmacological relevanceLimited drugs, rise in drug resistance against frontline anti-malarial drugs, non-availability of efficacious vaccines and high cost of drug development hinders malaria intervention programs. Search for safe, effective and affordable plant based anti-malarial agents, thus becomes crucial and vital in the current scenario. The Vitex negundo L. is medicinal plant possessing a variety of pharmaceutically important compounds. The plant is used traditionally worldwide for the treatment of malaria including India and Malaysia by the indigenous tribes. In vitro studies have reported the anti-malarial use of the plant in traditional medicinal systems. Aim of the studyThe aim of the current study is to evaluate the traditionally used medicinal plants for in vitro anti-malarial activity against human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and profiling secondary metabolite using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. Chemical profiling of active secondary metabolites in the extracts was undertaken using LC-MS. Materials and methodsBased on the ethno-botanical data V. negundo L. was selected for in vitro anti-malarial activity against P. falciparum chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and multidrug resistant (K1) strains using SYBR Green-I based fluorescence assay. Cytotoxicity of extracts was evaluated in VERO cell line using the MTT assay. Haemolysis assay was performed using human red blood cells. Secondary metabolites profiling was undertaken using chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis. Liquid chromatography analysis was performed using a C18, 150 X 2.1, 2.6 μm column with gradient mobile phase Solvent A: 95% (H2O: ACN), Solvent B: Acetonitrile, Solvent C: Methanol, Solvent D: 5 mM NH4 in 95:5 (H2O: ACN) at a constant flow rate of 0.250 ml/min. The LC-MS spectra were acquired in both positive and negative ion modes with electrospray ionization (ESI) source. ResultsThe anti-malarial active extract of V. negundo L. leaf exhibited potent anti-malarial activity with IC50 values of 7.21 μg/ml and 7.43 μg/ml against 3D7 and K1 strains, respectively with no evidence of significant cytotoxicity against mammalian cell line (VERO) and no toxicity as observed in haemolysis assay. The HPLC-LC-MS analysis of the extract led to identification of 73 compounds. We report for the first time the presence of Sabinene hydrate acetate, 5-Hydroxyoxindole, 2(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6, 7-dimethoxychromen-4-one, Cyclotetracosa-1, 13-diene and 5, 7-Dimethoxyflavanone in the anti-malarial active extract of V. negundo L. leaf. Agnuside, Behenic acid and Globulol are some of the novel compounds with no reports of anti-malarial activity so far and require further evaluation in pure form for the development of potent anti-malarial compounds. ConclusionsThe result report and scientifically validate the traditional use of V. negundo L. for the treatment of malaria providing new avenues for anti-malarial drug development. Several novel and unknown compounds were identified that need to be further characterized for anti-malarial potential.

Phytochemical composition and in -vitro pharmacological evaluation of Emex australis Steinh: A natural source of enzyme inhibitors

The current research investigated the chemical profiling and biological activities of Emex australis Steinh. aerial and fruit parts (methanol and dichloromethane-DCM extracts). Chemical composition was established by determining the amounts of phenolic and flavonoid contents, HPLC-PDA polyphenolic quantification, and UHPLC-MS secondary metabolites profiling to understand the observed biological activities. Antioxidant evaluation was performed utilizing six different assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelation). Moreover, enzyme inhibition abilities against cholinesterases, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase were also determined. The fruit methanol extract contained the highest phenolic (157.96 mg GAE/ g extract) and flavonoid contents (41.43 mg QE/g extract), which could justify the observed significant antioxidant (except metal chelating), α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase inhibitory potentials. The other extracts were active against cholinesterases and tyrosinase. The HPLC-PDA polyphenolic analysis quantified a number of 11 phenolic secondary metabolites. The fruit-MeOH extract was found to quantify the maximum phenolics with catechin (4.27 μg/g extract) and gallic acid (4.84 μg/g extract) in higher amounts. Similarly, rutin present in maximum quantity in the aerial-MeOH extract (2.93 μg/g extract). Furthermore, the UHPLC-MS study of aerial and fruit methanol extracts reveals the existence of 22 secondary metabolites, most of which were flavonoid derivatives. Besides that, Pearson coefficient analysis (PCA) was also carried to determine a possible correlation between bioactive contents and observed biological assays. Thus, it is concluded that E. australis extracts contain important classes of secondary metabolites and also exhibited considerable antioxidant and inhibition potential against clinically relevant enzymes.

Optimization of the eco-friendly solvent-free microwave extraction of Limnophila aromatica essential oil

Seasonal variation can alter the profile, quantity, and bioactivity of secondary metabolites in aromatic plants. This study aimed to establish solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) conditions for the recovery of essential oil from Limnophila aromatica (Lam.) Merr. aerial parts and investigate the influence of seasonality on this oil. The effects of key SFME variables, including the microwave power and irradiation time, on the essential oil yield were evaluated, and these variables were optimized using response surface methodology. The chemical composition and antioxidant and antiproliferative capabilities of the essential oils obtained under the selected SFME conditions during different seasons of the year were then analyzed. The optimal SFME process conditions for achieving the maximal essential oil yield were 700 W for 25 min. The most important variable influencing oil recovery was the irradiation time (p < 0.001), followed by the microwave power (p < 0.01). The applied extraction method offered essential oil yields during the different seasons ranging from 0.20 % to 0.24 % (v/w). The obtained essential oils showed the presence of forty-seven constituents, mainly limonene, perillaldehyde, (E)-4-caranone, (Z)-4-caranone, and α-pinene. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the dominant class of compounds in the oils. Seasonality affected both the antioxidant and antiproliferative properties to different degrees. These findings are not only useful for identifying eco-friendly essential oil extraction conditions but also serve as a useful guide for informing agronomic practices during the planting and cultivation of the studied medicinal plant.

Fullerol C60(OH)24 Nanoparticles and Drought Impact on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during Growth and Infection with Aspergillus flavus.

Fullerol C60(OH)24 nanoparticles (FNP)-wheat-A. flavus interaction outcome is more complicated in the presence of drought. This study sheds light on how the presence of FNP affects food and feed safety from the perspective of mycotoxin contamination. The study aims to determine the influence of FNP at environmentally plausible concentrations on wheat growth under drought stress and on the aggressiveness of A. flavus during wheat germination, as well as the influence of FNP on the secondary metabolite profile during the inappropriate wheat storage. The co-occurrence of drought and FNP inhibited germination and shoot growth, while an application of FNP alone had no negative effect on plant growth. Wheat pre-treated with FNP showed a concentration dependent resistance pattern to A. flavus aggressiveness. Nevertheless, using a LC-MS/MS based multi-mycotoxin method, six secondary fungal metabolites: 3-nitropropionic acid (<LOD −775.7336 ± 10.7752 ng mL−1), aflatoxin B1 (<LOD −6.78 ± 0.43 ng mL−1) and B2 (<LOD −0.07 ± 0.00 ng mL−1), aflatoxicol (<LOD −0.37 ± 0.16 ng mL−1), kojic acid (<LOD −1337.87 ± 189.04 ng mL−1), and O-methylsterigmatocystin (<LOD −0.17 ± 0.00 ng mL−1), were detected. FNP affected secondary metabolism of A. flavus during inappropriate wheat storage and increased the concentration of secondary metabolites in a concentration-dependent pattern (3-nitropropionic acid and kojic acid). In addition, aflatoxicol production was provoked in FNP treated samples.

Genetic aspects of potato resistance to phytophthorosis

Оомицет Рhytophthora infestans Mont. de Bary – основной патоген сельскохозяйственных культур семейства Пасленовые, особенно картофеля (Solanum tuberosum). С учетом того, что картофель – четвертая культура в мире по масштабам выращивания, ежегодные потери от фитофтороза огромны. Исследования базовых механизмов взаимодействия между картофелем и возбудителем фитофтороза не только расширяют фундаментальные знания в этой области, но и открывают новые возможности для влияния на эти взаимодействия с целью повышения резистентности к патогену. Взаимодействие картофеля и возбудителя фитофтороза можно рассматривать с генетической точки зрения, причем интересны как ответ картофеля на процесс колонизации со стороны P. infestans, так и изменение активности генов у фитофторы при заражении растения. Можно исследовать этот процесс через изменение профиля вторичных метаболитов хозяина и патогена. Помимо фундаментальных исследований в этой области, не меньшее значение имеют и прикладные работы в виде создания новых препаратов для защиты картофеля. Представленный обзор кратко описывает основные этапы исследований устойчивости картофеля к фитофторозу, начиная с самых первых работ. Большое внимание уделяется ключевым моментам по изменению профиля вторичных метаболитов (фитоалексинов). Отдельный раздел посвящен описанию как качественных, так количественных признаков устойчивости картофеля к возбудителю фитофтороза: их вкладу в общую резистентность, картированию и возможности регуляции. Оба вида признаков важны для селекции картофеля: качественная устойчивость за счет R-генов быстро преодолевается патогеном, в то время как пирамидирование локусов количественных признаков способствует созданию высокоустойчивых сортов. Новейшие подходы молекулярной биологии дают возможность изучать и транслятомные профили, что позволяет посмотреть на взаимодействие картофеля и возбудителя фитофтороза. Показано, что процесс колонизации картофеля отражается не только на активности различных генов и профиле вторичных метаболитов, выявлены также белки-маркеры ответа на заражение со стороны картофеля – это патоген-зависимые белки и пластидная углекислая ангидраза. Маркерами заражения от P. infestans были белки грибной целлюлозо-синтазы и гаусторий-специфический мембранный белок. В данном обзоре приведена информация по наиболее актуальным комплексным исследованиям генетических механизмов устойчивости картофеля к фитофторозу.

Callus induction and secondary metabolite profile from &lt;i&gt;Elephantopus scaber&lt;/i&gt; L.

Elephantopus scaber L. is a plant that has potential as traditional medicine. Callus induction and production of secondary metabolite content can be increased by culture callus using plant growth regulators. This study was purposed to investigate the effect of IBA and kinetin concentration on the induction and secondary metabolite profile of callus from E. scaber L. leaves. Leaves explant of E. scaber L. were cultured on MS medium with various combination concentrations of IBA and kinetin for 6 weeks and then callus was extracted using methanol. Secondary metabolite content from the resulting extract was analyzed using the phytochemical screening method. The result showed that the treatment of IBA 2.0 mg/L and kinetin 1.0 mg/L and treatment of IBA 2.0 mg/L and kinetin 2.5 mg/L are the fastest combination concentration to induce callus at 5.33 ± 0.577 days. Treatment of IBA 2.0 mg/L and kinetin 2.5 mg/L produced callus with the highest fresh weight and dry weight at 0.7016 ± 0.0588 grams and 0.0766 ± 0.0062 grams, respectively. The morphology of calluses grown during this study was compact with various colors appearance, such as light green, brownish green, and brown. Secondary metabolite content of methanol extract of callus E. scaber L. are flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins.

Melatonin alters the secondary metabolite profile of grape berry skin by promoting VvMYB14-mediated ethylene biosynthesis

The interplay between melatonin and ethylene in the regulation of fruit metabolism and the underlying molecular mechanism of this interplay remain largely unclear. Here, widely targeted metabolomics analysis revealed a total of 464 metabolites present in berry skin. Among them, 27 significantly differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were produced in response to melatonin treatment in the presence or absence of 1-MCP. Most of the DAMs were secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and flavonols. Additionally, the accumulation of 25 DAMs was regulated by melatonin via ethylene. RNA-seq analysis indicated that melatonin primarily regulated the pathways of plant hormone signal transduction and secondary metabolite biosynthesis via ethylene. Gene-metabolite association analysis showed that melatonin regulated the expression of the VvSTS1, VvF3H, VvLAR2, and VvDFR genes, suggesting that these genes may play key roles in regulating secondary metabolites in the skin; additionally, VvMYB14 and VvACS1 were suggested to be involved in the regulation of secondary metabolites. Further experiments revealed that melatonin induced the expression of VvMYB14 and that VvMYB14 increased ethylene production by transcriptionally activating VvACS1, thereby affecting the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Collectively, melatonin promotes ethylene biosynthesis and alters secondary metabolite accumulation through the regulation of VvACS1 by VvMYB14.

Primary and Secondary Metabolite Profiles of Lodgepole Pine Trees Change with Elevation, but Not with Latitude.

Climate change has a large influence on plant functional and phenotypic traits including plant primary and secondary metabolites. One well-established approach to investigating the variation in plant metabolites involves studying plant populations along elevation and latitude gradients. We considered how two space-for-time climate change gradients (elevation and latitude) influence carbohydrate reserves (soluble sugars, starches) and secondary metabolites (monoterpenes, diterpene resin acids) of lodgepole pine trees in western Canada. We were particularly interested in the relationship of terpenes and carbohydrates with a wide range of tree, site, and climatic factors. We found that only elevation had a strong influence on the expression of both terpenes and carbohydrates of trees. Specifically, as elevation increased, concentrations of monoterpenes and diterpenes generally increased and soluble sugars (glucose, sucrose, total sugars) decreased. In contrast, latitude had no impact on either of terpenes or carbohydrates. Furthermore, we found a positive relationship between concentrations of starch and total terpenes and diterpenes in the elevation study; whereas neither starches nor sugars were correlated to terpenes in the latitude study. Similarly, both terpenes and carbohydrates had a much greater number of significant correlations to site characteristics such as slope, basal area index, and sand basal area, in the elevational than in the latitude study. Overall, these results support the conclusion that both biotic and abiotic factors likely drive the patterns of primary and secondary metabolite profiles of lodgepole pine along geographical gradients. Also, presence of a positive relationship between terpenes and starches suggests an interaction between primary ad secondary metabolites of lodgepole pine trees.

Optimation of Combination of N-Hexane Solution and Ethyle Acetate on Secondary Metabolite Compounds Profile of Streptomyces hygroscopicus

Streptomyces hygroscopicus (S.hygroscopicus) is a Gram-positive soil bacterium that can produce secondary metabolites from fermentation that have a therapeutic effect. The fermented S. hygrocospicus metabolites that are still in the form of crude extracts are difficult to develop as drug preparations because the active compounds are not yet known, so it will be challenging to determine the dosage of drugs that have a therapeutic effect. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out exploratory research to narrow down the secondary metabolite profile from the fermentation of S. hygroscopicus, using extraction and fractionation methods, which are then identified by Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) using a combination of solvents. This study used the extraction method with a separating funnel. The fractionation was carried out using the BUCHI (Sepacore®) Flash Chromatography and Reveleris® PREP Purification System column chromatography gradually using ethyl acetate and n-hexana. 47 and 60 of the fractionation results were taken as samples, that further were profiled using TLC and given the appearance of 10% KOH stains and p-Anisaldehyde - sulfuric acid, so that various classes of compounds with different Rf values were obtained, namely Monoterpenes, Triterpenes, Steroids, Saponins, Coumarin, Scopoletin, and Alkaloids.

Moisture stress and nitrogen availability modulate the secondary metabolite profiles, enzymatic activity, and physiological and agronomic traits of Stevia rebaudiana

Performances of crops are mainly influenced by frost, heat and availability of soil-water and nitrogen (N). However, little is known about the interaction between soil-water and N on Stevia rebaudiana. Thus, a field experiment was conducted with fifteen treatment combinations comprising three levels of soil-moisture (irrigation at 20, 50 and 75 kPa soil-water-potential) and five N levels (0–140 kg ha−1) to understand how soil-moisture and N influence growth, physiological and biochemical activities of stevia. Plants irrigated at 50 kPa registered 6.3–18.9% and 20.7–21.2% higher dry leaf yield compared with 20 and 75 kPa, respectively. No significant (P ≥ 0.05) differences in concentrations of total steviol glycosides (TSGs) in leaf were found due to moisture regimes. Total soluble sugars (TSS), proline, total phenols were decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with plants irrigated at 20 kPa whereas SOD, CAT, and POX were decreased at both excessive and deficit water conditions. Photosynthetic rate (PN) and stomatal conductance (gs) decreased with plant irrigated at 75 kPa. Anatomical changes in leaf were also observed due to different moisture regimes. Among the N levels, 105 kg ha−1 registered approximately 50–53% higher dry leaf yield compared with control (0 kg N ha−1), irrespective of irrigation level. Excess (140 kg ha−1) and shortage of N significantly decreased the PN, gs, and enzyme activities. Concentrations of TSS and TSGs were higher with N at 105 and 70 kg ha−1, respectively. Our results emphasize that irrigation at 50 kPa and application of N 105 kg ha−1 is the suitable combination for sustainable cultivation of stevia.

Lipidomic and metabolomic profiles of Coffea canephora L. beans cultivated in Southwestern Nigeria

Coffee (Coffea spp.) is one of the most popular refreshing beverages globally. Coffee lipid diversity has untapped potential for improving coffee marketability because lipids contribute significantly to both the health benefits and cup quality of coffee. However, in spite of its potential importance, there have not been extensive studies of lipids among C. canephora genotypes. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) profiling of lipid molecules was performed for 30 genotypes consisting of 15 cultivated and 15 conserved genotypes of C. canephora in Southwestern Nigeria. We identified nine classes of lipids in the 30 genotypes which belong to the 'Niaouli', 'Kouillou' and 'Java Robusta' group: among these, the most abundant lipid class was the triacylglycerols, followed by the fatty acyls group. Although 'Niaouli' diverged from the 'Kouillou' and 'Java Robusta' genotypes when their lipid profiles were compared, there was greater similarity in their lipid composition by multivariate analysis, compared to that observed when their primary metabolites and especially their secondary metabolite profiles were examined. However, distinctions could be made among genotypes. Members of the fatty acyls group had the greatest power to discriminate among genotypes, however, lipids that were low in abundance e.g. a cholesterol ester (20:3), and phosphotidylethanolamine (34:0) were also helpful to understand the relationships among C. canephora genotypes. The divergent lipid profiles identified among the C. canephora genotypes, correlated with their Single Nucleotide Polymorphism grouping as assessed by genotype-by-sequencing, and will be exploited to improve coffee cup quality.

Secondary metabolites profiling of Vernonia amygdalina Del. in response to copper-induced abiotic stress

Background: Vernonia amygdalina is a green leafy vegetable that grows in tropical Africa and popularly cultivated in the southern part of Nigeria for its economic, nutritional and ethnomedicine value.Aims: This study analysed the influence of copper-induced abiotic stress on the deoxyribonucleic acid and secondary metabolites of V. amygdalina.Setting: Analyses of plant material were carried out in the Department of Botany, Lagos State University.Methods: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction and Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) amplification were performed. Copper (Cu) concentration in leaves and stem of V. amygdalina was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), secondary metabolites were determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the effect on DNA amplification and profiling was analysed using gel electrophoresis.Results: After 41 days of cultivation, the stem of V. amygdalina significantly bioaccumulated 37 mg/L, 50 mg/L and 215 mg/L of Cu after spiking with 400 mg/L, 1000 mg/L and 2000 mg/L, respectively, whilst the leaves accumulated 52 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 350 mg/L of Cu, respectively. Copper-impregnated soil influenced phytochemicals of the plants by causing inconsistent increase and decrease in specific compounds such as levomenthol, methyl stearate and glycerine. Deoxyribonucleic acid bands of the stem and leaf of V. amygdalina from control site showed no band shift, whilst band shift occurred in the stem and leaf of the Cu-spiked V. amygdalina.Conclusion: This study revealed the leaves of V. amygdalina having higher Cu accumulation capacity than the stems. Also, Cu alters the quality and quantity of phytochemicals in plant parts.

Saaz Special – another hop variety recommended for Czech beer

The specification of varietal profiles of secondary metabolites of hops in beer is rather important for hop growing and beer brewing. Chemical and sensory profiles of beers hopped with the varieties of Saaz Special and the traditional Saaz semiearly red bine hops (Saaz) were compared in three-year pilot brews (200 L). Single kettle hopped beers and single kettle + dry hopped beers were prepared. The overall sensory impression of the Saaz Special beers was comparable to Saaz hops. The profile of essential oils and hop aromas/flavours in the beer was partially different, but the hop aroma did not receive a worse rating than Saaz. The Saaz Special dry hopped beers were clearly distinguished from Saaz in triangle tests, but no preference was given to either variety. Based on the achieved results, the Saaz Special variety was listed among varieties recommended for the production of the beer with the Protected Geographical Indication of Czech Beer thanks to the achieved results.

Profiles of Secondary Metabolites (Phenolic Acids, Carotenoids, Anthocyanins, and Galantamine) and Primary Metabolites (Carbohydrates, Amino Acids, and Organic Acids) during Flower Development in Lycoris radiata

This study aimed to elucidate the variations in primary and secondary metabolites during Lycoris radiata flower development using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS). The result showed that seven carotenoids, seven phenolic acids, three anthocyanins, and galantamine were identified in the L. radiata flowers. Most secondary metabolite levels gradually decreased according to the flower developmental stages. A total of 51 metabolites, including amines, sugars, sugar intermediates, sugar alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, were identified and quantified using GC-TOFMS. Among the hydrophilic compounds, most amino acids increased during flower development; in contrast, TCA cycle intermediates and sugars decreased. In particular, glutamine, asparagine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid, which represent the main inter- and intracellular nitrogen carriers, were positively correlated with the other amino acids and were negatively correlated with the TCA cycle intermediates. Furthermore, quantitation data of the 51 hydrophilic compounds were subjected to partial least-squares discriminant analyses (PLS-DA) to assess significant differences in the metabolites of L. radiata flowers from stages 1 to 4. Therefore, this study will serve as the foundation for a biochemical approach to understand both primary and secondary metabolism in L. radiata flower development.

LC-MS based plant metabolic profiles of thirteen grassland species grown in diverse neighbourhoods

In plants, secondary metabolite profiles provide a unique opportunity to explore seasonal variation and responses to the environment. These include both abiotic and biotic factors. In field experiments, such stress factors occur in combination. This variation alters the plant metabolic profiles in yet uninvestigated ways. This data set contains trait and mass spectrometry data of thirteen grassland species collected at four time points in the growing season in 2017. We collected above-ground vegetative material of seven grass and six herb species that were grown in plant communities with different levels of diversity in the Jena Experiment. For each sample, we recorded visible traits and acquired shoot metabolic profiles on a UPLC-ESI-Qq-TOF-MS. We performed the raw data pre-processing in Galaxy-W4M and prepared the data for statistical analysis in R by applying missing data imputation, batch correction, and validity checks on the features. This comprehensive data set provides the opportunity to investigate environmental dynamics across diverse neighbourhoods that are reflected in the metabolomic profile.

A Review of Strawberry Photobiology and Fruit Flavonoids in Controlled Environments.

Rapid technology development in controlled environment (CE) plant production has been applied to a large variety of plants. In recent years, strawberries have become a popular fruit for CE production because of their high economic and nutritional values. With the widespread use of light-emitting diode (LED) technology in the produce industry, growers can manipulate strawberry growth and development by providing specific light spectra. Manipulating light intensity and spectral composition can modify strawberry secondary metabolism and highly impact fruit quality and antioxidant properties. While the impact of visible light on secondary metabolite profiles for other greenhouse crops is well documented, more insight into the impact of different light spectra, from UV radiation to the visible light spectrum, on strawberry plants is required. This will allow growers to maximize yield and rapidly adapt to consumer preferences. In this review, a compilation of studies investigating the effect of light properties on strawberry fruit flavonoids is provided, and a comparative analysis of how light spectra influences strawberry’s photobiology and secondary metabolism is presented. The effects of pre-harvest and post-harvest light treatments with UV radiation and visible light are considered. Future studies and implications for LED lighting configurations in strawberry fruit production for researchers and growers are discussed.

Imaging high-performance thin-layer chromatography as powerful tool to visualize metabolite profiles of eight Bacillus candidates upon cultivation and growth behavior

Imaging high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) was explored with regard to its ability to visualize changes in the metabolite profile of bacteria. Bacillus subtilis has become a model organism in many fields. The increasing interest in these bacteria is driven by their attributed probiotic activity. However, growth behavior and metabolism of Bacillus species have a considerable influence on their activity and secondary metabolite profile. On the HPTLC plate, cultivation broths of Bacillus species (B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus and B. amyloliquefaciens) and some B. subtilis strains of high genetic similarity up to 99.5% were applied directly and compared with their respective liquid-liquid extracts. The latter as well as the cultivation in a minimal medium reduced the matrix load and improved the zone resolution. Cultivation parameters such as nutrient supply, cultivation temperature, cultivation time and rotational speed (oxygen level) as well as medium change were shown to have a considerable influence on the growth behavior and resulting metabolite profiles. Imaging HPTLC turned out to be an efficient and affordable tool to visualize such influences of cultivation parameters on the metabolite profiles. It converts the complexity of reaction processes occurring during cell cultivation in easy-to-understand images, which are helpful to figure out factors of influence and understand activity changes. The results highlighted that optimal cultivation conditions need to be found for the intended bacterial application, and in particular, these conditions have to be kept constant. It must be ensured that small variations in cultivation parameters of bacteria do not change the specified (probiotic) effect on the health of animals and humans. The HPTLC metabolite profiles represented the cultivation conditions of specific bacteria and were found to be a proof of the activity of distinct bacteria. In addition, HPTLC can also be used to optimize and streamline the culture media. The quality control of cultivation or fermentation processes can benefit from such a powerful tool, as a picture is worth a thousand words.