Genetic Transformation and Hairy Root Induction Enhance the Antioxidant Potential of Lactuca serriola L.

Abstract

Lactuca serriola L. is a herbaceous species, used for human nutrition and medicinal purposes. The high antioxidant capacity of L. serriola indicates the possibility of enhancing its edible and health potential by increasing the flavonoid and phenolic contents. The present study aimed at enhancing the production of phenolics and flavonoids by hairy root cultures in Lactuca serriola transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain AR15834 harbouring the rolB gene. The genetic transformation of rolB in transformed roots was validated, and rolB expression level was evaluated using real-time qPCR analysis. Expression levels of flavonoid biosynthesis genes (CHI, PAL, FLS, and CHS) were assessed in the hairy and nontransformed roots. Results showed higher expression levels in the transgenic roots than in the nontransformed ones (p < 0.01). Transgenic hairy roots exhibited a 54.8–96.7% increase in the total phenolic content, 38.1–76.2% increase in the total flavonoid content, and 56.7–96.7% increase in the total reducing power when compared with the nontransgenic roots (p < 0.01). DPPH results also revealed that the transgenic hairy roots exhibited a 31.6–50% increase in antioxidant potential, when compared to normal roots. This study addressed the enhancement of secondary metabolite biosynthesis by hairy root induction in L. serriola.

Treatment of Sweet Pepper with Stress Tolerance-Inducing Compounds Alleviates Salinity Stress Oxidative Damage by Mediating the Physio-Biochemical Activities and Antioxidant Systems

“…In the current study, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, which are indicators of oxidative stress, were significantly produced in sweet pepper plants treated with NaCl at 2000 and 4000 ppm. This increase in superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production may be due to the fact that reactive oxygen species have a critical role under stress conditions in adjusting development, differentiation, redox levels, and stress signaling in the chloroplasts, mitochondria, and peroxisomes of plant cells [63,64]. Moreover, the high levels of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide are the main reasons for oxidative stress in the plant cells exposed to various stresses.…”

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Mitigates Nickel-Induced Oxidative Damage in Eggplant by Upregulating Antioxidants, Osmolyte Metabolism, and Glyoxalase Systems

“…To mitigate these adverse effects of metal toxicity, plants upregulate the indigenous tolerance mechanisms including antioxidant and osmolyte metabolism, and glyoxylase system [9]. The antioxidant system is comprised of enzymatic and nonenzymatic components, which neutralize excess ROS [10], and osmolytes, including proline, glycine betaine (GB), sugars, etc., leading to protection of water relations and enzyme activity [11]. Another important mechanism i.e., glyoxalase system includes two key enzymes: glyoxalase I and II mediating the detoxification of methylglyoxal (MG) [9].…”

Sodium Azide Priming Enhances Waterlogging Stress Tolerance in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

“…Okra originated in Ethiopia and was then reproduced in the Mediterranean area, North Africa, and India [1]. Environmental stresses negatively affect the growth, yield, and biological activities of plants worldwide [2][3][4][5][6]. In particular, waterlogging the seeds were removed and washed 5 times with deionized water to remove all traces of NaN 3 .…”