Combinations of Blue and Red LEDs Increase the Morphophysiological Performance and Furanocoumarin Production of Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul in vitro

Abstract

Brosimum gaudichaudii is a plant species with medicinal relevance due to its furanocoumarin accumulation. The accumulation of these compounds in the root promotes predatory extractivism, which threatens the conservation of the species. In addition, little is known about the conditions for culturing of this species in vitro. The present study aimed to investigate how the application of different spectra of LEDs (white, blue, red, and combinations of blue and red at 1:1 and 3:1 ratios) can impact the morphophysiological and biochemical characteristics of B. gaudichaudii under different in vitro conditions. To evaluate the production of furanocoumarins in its leaves, which are easy-to-collect perennial organs, we cultured nodal segments in 50-mL tubes with MS medium under 100 μmol m−2 s−1 light and a photoperiod of 16 h for 50 days. We then submitted the seedlings biometric, anatomical, biochemical, and physiological evaluations. The different spectral qualities influenced several characteristics of the seedlings. Plants grown under red light showed greater stem elongation and larger and thinner leaves, strategies aimed at capturing a higher ratio of radiant energy. Exposure to the blue/red ratio of 1:1 induced increases in the concentration of the furanocoumarin psoralen, probably due to the diversion of carbon from primary metabolism, which resulted in lower growth. Cultivation under blue light or blue:red light at 3:1 triggered anatomical and physiological changes that led to higher production of secondary metabolites in the leaves, and at the 3:1 ratio, the seedlings also had a high growth rate. These results highlight the fundamental role of light in stimulating the production of secondary metabolites, which has important implications for the production of compounds of interest and indirect consequences for the conservation of B. gaudichaudii.

Biochemical repercussions of light spectra on nitrogen metabolism in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) under a controlled environment

“…Unlike GR or BGR, higher fluorescence intensity in BR suggests higher absorption of red light by chlorophyll a and b, promoting the excitation of electrons in PSI and PSII, leading to a distinct OJIP curve shape with rapid transitions between the O, J, I, and P steps. Rapid transitions induced in the OJIP curves due to red light are consistent with studies in other species ( Costa et al., 2021 ).…”

Influence of LED Light, Salicylic Acid and Yeast Extract on Growth and Phenolic Content of Dendrobium officinale Plantlets

“…Similarly, Frszczak et al 27 reported that the average height of Anethum graveolens was proportional to the amount of red light after 28 days of culture, that value was highest in the treatment using a combination of 70% red LED and 10% blue LED. Several other studies have also shown that red LED increased the height of various plantlet species such as Rehmannia glutinosa 13 , grape 28 and Brosimum gaudichaudii 29 .…”

Phenolic Acids and Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids Profiles in Leucojum aestivum L. In Vitro Plants Grown under Different Light Conditions

“…Several authors have also indicated that the use of mixed LED lights (blue and red), in the right proportions, may affect the increase of biomasses and the production of secondary metabolites. Costa et al [ 67 ] used blue and red lights in a 3:1 proportion, respectively, to increase the biomass and bergapten production of Brosimum gaudichaudii seedlings. Conversely, the combination of blue and red lights, in a ratio of 2:1, was optimal for L .…”