Riboflavin improves grain yield, 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline accumulation, and antioxidative properties of fragrant rice

• Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture Vol. 104; no. 2; pp. 1178 - 1189
• Main Authors: Cheng, Siren, Liu, Haidong, Li, Keqing, Zheng, Likai, Su, Meilin, Lin, Xueer, Huang, Guobao, Ren, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 30.01.2024; John Wiley and Sons, Limited
• Subjects: 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline; antioxidant properties; Antioxidants - metabolism; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Aroma; Carboxylic acids; Carboxylic Acids - metabolism; Catalase; Crop production; Crop yield; Cultivars; Edible Grain - metabolism; Enzymatic activity; Enzymes; Foliar applications; fragrant rice; Hydrogen peroxide; Odorants - analysis; Ornithine-aminotransferase; Oryza - chemistry; Proline; Proline - metabolism; Proline dehydrogenase; Pyrroles - metabolism; Pyrroles - pharmacology; Pyruvaldehyde; Riboflavin; riboflavin application; Rice; Superoxide dismutase; Vitamin B; yield formation; yield formation; riboflavin application; antioxidant properties; fragrant rice; 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline
• ISSN: 0022-5142; 1097-0010
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13004

BACKGROUND Riboflavin, a vital water‐soluble vitamin with antioxidative activity, plays a critical role in maintaining overall bodily health and defense responses. However, its impact on fragrant rice yield and aroma remains unexplored. RESULTS In a 2022 pot experiment with Meixiangzhan and Yuxiangyouzhan fragrant rice cultivars, we applied riboflavin foliar treatments at concentrations of 0 (CK), 10 (R10), 20 (R20), and 40 (R40) mg L−1 during the initial heading stage. Riboflavin increased rice yield, 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline (2‐AP) content, and antioxidative properties. It boosted 2‐AP level by 13.1–50.1% for Meixiangzhan and 22.3–35.3% for Yuxiangyouzhan, with the highest levels in R20 and R10 treatments. This increase is significantly correlated with elevated levels of proline, pyrroline‐5‐carboxylic acid, pyrroline, and methylglyoxal, as well as heightened enzyme activities, including those of proline dehydrogenase, ornithine aminotransferase, and pyrroline‐5‐carboxylic acid synthetase (P5CS). The R20 treatment resulted in the highest yield due to an improved seed‐setting rate. Importantly, a positive correlation emerged between 2‐AP content and yield, both significantly linked to superoxide dismutase, proline, hydrogen peroxide, P5CS, catalase, and pyrroline. CONCLUSION Riboflavin maintained enzyme activities, regulated substance synthesis pathways, and increased 2‐AP and yield, especially in the R20 treatment. These insights advance fragrant rice production theory by uncovering riboflavin's role in the development of fragrant rice. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.