Enhancing Biosynthesis of Flavonol Protective Biomaterials Using FLS Transgenic Plants

Flavonol synthase (FLS) gene encodes an enzyme that is involved in conversion substrates into flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol. These substances are a subgroup of flavonoids which have an important role in both plant and human health. Many environmental factors such as temperature, pH and UV-A radiation have been studied and presented relationship with flavonoid synthesis. In this experiment, the combination of visible and UV-A lights was used as factors for elevating flavonoid biosynthesis of wild type (WT) plant and two lines of FLS transgenic plant under tissue culture condition. Both transgenic lines significantly enhanced the accumulation of quercetin and kaempferol substances nearly one fold higher than WT plant did. The photosynthetic pigment levels of chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B and carotenoid in transgenic lines are in the range 45.20-46.88, 16.34-17.04 and 13.63-13.46, while those of WT plants are 35.93, 13.18 and 10.55 (µg/g FW), respectively. Therefore, FLS transgenic plants containing high flavonol content showed a better in the protection photosynthetic pigments by less reductions of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments.

Suitable Concentration of ZnO Nanoparticles Enhanced Biomaterial Synthesis and Plant Cell Protection

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has been reported on toxicity effects on environmental organisms. However, Zn is a plant essential microelement which is involved in various physiological functions. In this study, MS medium, adding 0, 10 and 20 mgL-1 ZnO NPs were used for culturing wild type (WT) and transgenic expressing PAP1 under tissue culture condition. Effects of ZnO NPs concentrations on the accumulations of total soluble sugar (TSS) and flavonoid biomaterials in WT and transgenic plants were analysis. Membrane stability of each plant was assayed by lipid peroxidation measurement. Malondialdehyde, a byproduct of the membrane lipid peroxidation, was presented. The result showed that both WT and transgenic grown in medium, adding ZnO NPs enhanced the accumulations of TSS and flavonoids. All of PAP1 transgenic lines had a better response under ZnO NPs concentration and elevated higher biomaterials than WT did. Medium adding 20 mgL-1 ZnO NPs affected the highest accumulation of both biomaterials especially in transgenic plant. Higher accumulation of biomaterials is presented in treatment adding ZnO NPs and plant membrane stability of this treatment is better than that of medium without ZnO NPs. However, medium with 10 mgL-1 ZnO NPs showed the proper result of plant membrane stability.