Proposing Signaling Molecules as Key Optimization Targets for Intensifying the Phytochemical Biosynthesis Induced by Emerging Nonthermal Stress Pretreatments of Plant-Based Foods: A Focus on γ-Aminobutyric Acid

Abstract

Emerging evidence has confirmed the role of emerging nonthermal stressors (e.g., electromagnetic fields, ultrasonication, plasma) in accumulating bioactive metabolites in plant-based food. However, the signal decoding mechanisms behind NonTt-driven phytochemical production remain unclear, hindering postharvest bioactive component intensification. This study aims to summarize the association between signaling molecules and bioactive secondary metabolite production under nonthermal conditions, demonstrating the feasibility of enhancing phytochemical accumulation through signaling molecule crosstalk manipulation. Nonthermal elicitors were found to be capable of inducing stress metabolisms and activating various signaling molecules, similar to conventional abiotic stress. A simplified pathway model for nonthermally induced γ-aminobutyric acid accumulation was proposed with reactive oxygen species and calcium signaling being versatile pathways responsive to nonthermal elicitors. Manipulating signal molecules/pathways under nonthermal conditions can intensify phytochemical biosynthesis. Further research is needed to integrate signaling molecule responses and metabolic network shifts in nonthermally stressed plant-based matrices, balancing quality modifications and intensification of food functionality potential.

Identification of Efficacy-Associated Markers to Discriminate Flos Chrysanthemum and Flos Chrysanthemi Indici Based on Fingerprint–Activity Relationship Modeling: A Combined Evaluation over Chemical Consistence and Quality Consistence

“…On the other hand, the relative peak abundance of the identified compounds found in YJH was significantly lower than that in JH samples. This observation may support the claim that environmental stress factors contribute to the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites under natural field conditions and significant fluctuations in their contents thus explaining the complex composition and rich distribution of secondary metabolites in YJH samples, simultaneously coinciding well with multiple pharmacological activities of YJH including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antiallergy, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial activities [16][17][18][19]. As a wild resource, YJH is rich and widely distributed in wild places such as mountain slopes, grasslands and shrubbery, and roadsides [18].…”