Recent and projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and the potential impacts on growth and alkaloid production in wild poppy (Papaver setigerum DC.)

Abstract

In the current study, we quantified changes in the growth and alkaloid content of wild poppy, (Papaver setigerum) as a function of recent and projected changes in global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, [CO 2 ]. The experimental [CO 2 ] values (300, 400, 500 and 600μmol mol −1 ) correspond roughly to the concentrations that existed during the middle of the twentieth century, the current concentration, and near and long-term projections for the current century (2050 and 2090), respectively. Additional carbon dioxide resulted in significant increases in leaf area and above ground biomass for P. setigerum at all [CO 2 ] relative to the 300μmol mol −1 baseline. Reproductively, increasing [CO 2 ] from 300 to 600μmol mol −1 increased the number of capsules, capsule weight and latex production by 3.6, 3.0 and 3.7×, respectively, on a per plant basis. Quantification of secondary compounds (i.e. those not involved in primary metabolism) included the alkaloids morphine, codeine, papaverine and noscapine. The amount of all alkaloids increased significantly on a per plant basis, with the greatest relative increase occurring with recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (e.g. from 300 to 400μmol mol −1 ). Overall, these data suggest that as atmospheric [CO 2 ] continues to increase, significant effects on the production of secondary plant compounds of pharmacological interest (i.e. opiates) could be expected.

Metabolomic Responses of Guard Cells and Mesophyll Cells to Bicarbonate

“…Similarly, elevated CO 2 resulted in increased alkaloids by altering the C/N balance toward a positive effect on biosynthesis of these metabolites [ 70 ]. Under elevated CO 2 , high levels of morphine, codeine, papaverine, and noscapine were produced in wild poppy ( Papaver setigerum ) [ 71 ], and scopolamine was accumulated in jimson weed ( Datura stramonium L.) [ 72 ]. In this study, we observed increased alkaloid biosynthetic pathway intermediates in both GCs and MCs.…”

Advances in understanding CO2 responsive plant metabolomes in the era of climate change

“…Generally, elevated CO 2 resulted in increased alkaloids, possibly by interfering with the C/N balance, and thus could have a positive effect on commercial-scale production of these metabolites. Under elevated CO 2 , significantly more morphine, codeine, papaverine and noscapine were produced in wild poppy (Papaver setigerum) (Ziska et al 2008), and higher levels of scopolamine were accumulated in jimson weed (Datura stramonium L.) than under ambient CO 2 (Ziska et al 2005). Due to the stimulatory effect of CO 2 , the amounts of specialized metabolites increased in several plant species (Ziska et al 2005).…”

Global change and the future of harmful algal blooms in the ocean

“…The major consensus is that plant secondary metabolites increase with higher CO 2 levels (Schonhof et al 2007, Ziska et al 2008, Ghasemzadeh & Jaafar 2011, Ibrahim & Jaafar 2011. Since most known algal toxins, including domoic acid, saxitoxins, brevitoxins, and karlotoxins, are classified as secondary metabolites, it should not be entirely surprising that increased CO 2 levels can result in higher toxin cell quotas.…”