Effects of White, Blue, and Red Light-Emitting Diodes on Carotenoid Biosynthetic Gene Expression Levels and Carotenoid Accumulation in Sprouts of Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.)

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol. 61; no. 50; pp. 12356 - 12361
• Main Authors: Tuan, Pham Anh, Thwe, Aye Aye, Kim, Yeon Bok, Kim, Jae Kwang, Kim, Sun-Ju, Lee, Sanghyun, Chung, Sun-Ok, Park, Sang Un
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 18.12.2013
• Subjects: beta-carotene; Biological and medical sciences; biosynthesis; Biosynthetic Pathways - drug effects; buckwheat; Carotenoids - biosynthesis; Fagopyrum - genetics; Fagopyrum - growth & development; Fagopyrum - metabolism; Fagopyrum - radiation effects; Fagopyrum tataricum; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant - drug effects; genes; Light; lutein; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; secondary metabolites; sowing; wavelengths; white light; light-emitting diode; carotenoids; sprout; gene characterization; tartary buckwheat; Polygonaceae; Fagopyrum; Biosynthesis; Gene expression; Accumulation; Light emitting diode; Characterization; Gene; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Blue light; Carotenoid
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf4039937

In this study, the optimum wavelengths of light required for carotenoid biosynthesis were determined by investigating the expression levels of carotenoid biosynthetic genes and carotenoid accumulation in sprouts of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) exposed to white, blue, and red light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Most carotenoid biosynthetic genes showed higher expression in sprouts irradiated with white light at 8 days after sowing than in those irradiated with blue and red lights. The dominant carotenoids in tartary buckwheat sprouts were lutein and β-carotene. The richest accumulation of total carotenoids was observed in sprouts grown under white light (1282.63 μg g–1 dry weight), which was relatively higher than that in sprouts grown under blue and red lights (940.86 and 985.54 μg g–1, respectively). This study might establish an effective strategy for maximizing the production of carotenoids and other important secondary metabolites in tartary buckwheat sprouts by using LED technology.