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Effects of Supplemental UV‐A on the Development, Anatomy and Metabolite Production of Phyllanthus tenellus Cultured In Vitro
Author(s) -
Victório Cristiane Pimentel,
LealCosta Marcos Vinicius,
Schwartz Tavares Eliana,
Machado Kuster Ricardo,
Salgueiro Lage Celso Luiz
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2011.00905.x
Subject(s) - biology , phytochemical , metabolite , phyllanthus , ellagic acid , carotenoid , secondary metabolite , botany , in vitro , polyphenol , biochemistry , antioxidant , gene
Phyllanthus tenellus is widely used for its antiviral, analgesic and hepatoprotective properties. Although the production of several chemical classes of secondary metabolites is influenced by UV radiation, particularly phenolic compounds, we also know that UV radiation can result in anatomical and developmental damage. However, the morphological, anatomical and phytochemical changes in response to UV‐A exposure are generally understudied in the Phyllanthaceae. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of UV‐A radiation on plant development and leaf anatomy, as well as the production of secondary metabolites and the contents of carotenoids and chlorophylls a and b , in P. tenellus . To accomplish this, in vitro cultures of P. tenellus were maintained for 60 days under white light (WL) and WL plus UV‐A radiation. Results showed different phenotypic responses under additional UV‐A, such as high phenolic metabolite production, increasing dimensions of abaxial epidermis and thickness of palisade parenchyma. Compared to plants cultured under WL, UV‐A radiation caused damage to plant morphogenesis, including a reduced number of branches and shoots, consequently reducing the rate of proliferation. On the other hand, geraniin, ellagic acid and carotenoid contents increased after UV‐A exposure, indicating that this light source is an important resource for inducing phenolic compounds.