Specialized Plant Metabolism Characteristics and Impact on Target Molecule Biotechnological Production.

Plant secondary metabolism evolved in the context of highly organized and differentiated cells and tissues, featuring massive chemical complexity operating under tight environmental, developmental and genetic control. Biotechnological demand for natural products has been continuously increasing because of their significant value and new applications, mainly as pharmaceuticals. Aseptic production systems of plant secondary metabolites have improved considerably, constituting an attractive tool for increased, stable and large-scale supply of valuable molecules.

Events Associated with Early Age-Related Decline in Adventitious Rooting Competence of Labill.

The development of adventitious roots is affected by several factors, including the age of the cutting donor plant, which negatively affects rooting capacity. quickly loses rooting capacity of cuttings as the donor plant ages, although the molecular and biochemical mechanisms behind this process are still unclear. To better understand the bases of rooting competence loss in , the time required for a significant decline in rhizogenic ability without exogenous auxin was determined in microcuttings derived from donor plants of different ages after sowing.

Isolation and Characterization of Cyclotides from Brazilian Psychotria: Significance in Plant Defense and Co-occurrence with Antioxidant Alkaloids.

Plants from the genus Psychotria include species bearing cyclotides and/or alkaloids. The elucidation of factors affecting the metabolism of these molecules as well as their activities may help to understand their ecological function. In the present study, high concentrations of antioxidant indole alkaloids were found to co-occur with cyclotides in Psychotria leiocarpa and P.

Shoot accumulation kinetics and effects on herbivores of the wound-induced antioxidant indole alkaloid brachycerine of Psychotria brachyceras.

A major shoot-specific monoterpene indole alkaloid produced by Psychotria brachyceras, brachycerine, is regulated by either wounding or jasmonate application. Highest concentrations of the alkaloid are found in inflorescences, suggesting a defence role. Brachycerine has antimutagenic and antioxidant properties, capable of quenching singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide.

Oxidative stress and production of bioactive monoterpene indole alkaloids: biotechnological implications.

Monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) encompass plant natural products with important pharmacological relevance. They include the anti-tumoral MIAs found in Catharanthus roseus and Camptotheca acuminata. The often low yields of bioactive alkaloids in plants has prompted research to identify the factors regulating MIA production.

The major indole alkaloid N,β-D-glucopyranosyl vincosamide from leaves of Psychotria leiocarpa Cham. & Schltdl. is not an antifeedant but shows broad antioxidant activity.

N,β-D-glucopyranosyl vincosamide (GPV), a major alkaloid of Psychotria leiocarpa, constitutes up to 2.5% of the dry weight in leaves. Alkaloid content was not elicited by mechanical wounding or jasmonate.