Approach strategies and application of metabolomics to biotechnology in plants.

Metabolomics refers to the technology for the comprehensive analysis of metabolites and low-molecular-weight compounds in a biological system, such as cells or tissues. Metabolites play an important role in biological phenomena through their direct involvement in the regulation of physiological mechanisms, such as maintaining cell homeostasis or signal transmission through protein-protein interactions. The current review aims provide a framework for how the integrated analysis of metabolites, their functional actions and inherent biological information can be used to understand biological phenomena related to the regulation of metabolites and how this information can be applied to safety assessments of crops created using biotechnology.

Influence of Genetically Modified Soybean Expressing Epidermal Growth Factor on Arthropod Biodiversity.

The field study was undertaken to examine the potential for adverse effects of transgenic soybean expressing bioactive human epidermal growth factor (with tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate, PPT) on the abundance and diversity of plant-dwelling arthropods by comparing with those of a non-GM parental cultivar, Gwangan soybean. Field surveys of soybean fields were carried out over two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017 at Ochang and Jeonju, Korea. The number of captured individuals associated with either of EGF and Gwangan soybean plants increased in 2017 compared with 2016 in both Ochang and Jeonju.

Discrimination of Transgenic Canola ( L.) and their Hybrids with using Vis-NIR Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Methods.

In recent years, the rapid development of genetically modified (GM) technology has raised concerns about the safety of GM crops and foods for human health and the ecological environment. Gene flow from GM crops to other crops, especially in the Brassicaceae family, might pose a threat to the environment due to their weediness. Hence, finding reliable, quick, and low-cost methods to detect and monitor the presence of GM crops and crop products is important.

Metabolomic Variability of Different Soybean Genotypes: β-Carotene-Enhanced (), Wild (), and Hybrid ( × ) Soybeans.

We obtained a new hybrid soybean (Hybrid) by hybridizing β-carotene-enhanced soybean (BCE; L.) containing the gene and wild-type soybean (Wild; ). To investigate metabolic changes between variants, we performed metabolic profiling of leaves (three growth stages) and seeds.

Metabolic Analysis of Root, Stem, and Leaf of Plantlets Treated with Different LED Lights.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have recently been considered an efficient artificial light source in plant factories for enhancing plant growth and nutritional quality. Accordingly, this study aimed to review blue, red, and white LED light sources for efficiency and length of the growing period to produce seedlings of with high nutritional value. The roots, stems, and leaves of seedlings were grown under different LED lights and harvested after two and four weeks, and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry to identify and quantify primary and secondary metabolites.

Comparative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites and Metabolic Profiling between Diploid and Tetraploid L.

We profiled and quantified primary (amine, organic acids, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, amino acids, and carbohydrates) and secondary metabolites (triterpenoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins) in the edible parts (leaves and fruits) of the diploid and tetraploid cultivar L. 'Cheongil.' Through comprehensive metabolic profiling, the tetraploid mulberry cultivar was able to produce diverse metabolites supported by higher accumulation patterns of primary and secondary metabolites in their edible parts.

Comparison of the seed nutritional composition between conventional varieties and transgenic soybean overexpressing Physaria FAD3-1.

Background: PfFAD3 transgenic soybean expressing omega-3 fatty acid desaturase 3 of Physaria produces increased level of α-linolenic acid in seed. Composition data of non-transgenic conventional varieties is important in the safety assessment of the genetically-modified (GM) crops in the context of the natural variation.

Results: The natural variation was characterized in seed composition of 13 Korean soybean varieties grown in three locations in South Korea for 2 years.

Metabolite Profiling and Comparative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites in Chinese Cabbage, Radish, and Hybrid .

We profiled and quantified primary and secondary metabolites in the leaves and roots of (Baemuchae), ssp (Chinese cabbage), and (radish). We obtained 72 metabolites from leaves and 68 metabolites from both leaves and roots of , Chinese cabbage, and radish. The metabolic profiles in this study revealed intermediate-level production of most metabolites from different parts of Baemuchae compared with that from different parts of Chinese cabbage and radishes.

A high-throughput platform for interpretation of metabolite profile data from pepper (Capsicum) fruits of 13 phenotypes associated with different fruit maturity states.

Nowadays, novel tools have been developed for efficient analysis and visualization of large-scale metabolite profile data associated with metabolic pathways. A high-throughput platform using PathVisio 3 combined with multivariate analysis is proposed for the first time. Additionally, this is the first analysis of the relationships among terpenoids monoterpene, sesquiterpene, triterpene, and tetraterpene during pepper fruit ripening, and their changes.

Comparative Phytochemical Analyses and Metabolic Profiling of Different Phenotypes of Chinese Cabbage ( ssp. ).

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the interface between primary and secondary metabolites in oval- and rectangular-shaped Chinese cabbage ( ssp. ) using gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition to differences in shape, there was significant morphological variation between the two cultivars.

Compositional analyses of diverse phytochemicals and polar metabolites from different-colored potato ( L.) tubers.

Lipophilic bioactive compounds and hydrophilic primary metabolites from potato ( L.) tubers with different-colored flesh (white-, yellow-, red-, and purple) were characterized. The carotenoid content was relatively higher in red-colored potatoes, in which lutein was most plentiful.

Analysis of Metabolites in White Flowers of Desr. and Violet Flowers of Desr.

A total of seven phenolics and 44 metabolites was profiled in white flowers of and violet flowers of using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS). Seven phenylpropanoid compounds were identified in white flowers by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). An HPLC analysis showed that phenylpropanoid accumulation in violet flowers was 1.

Metabolomic Profiling of the White, Violet, and Red Flowers of Maxim.

Maxim. is a garden plant that is also used for natural medicines as a consequence of the biological activities of its diverse metabolites. We accordingly profiled two anthocyanins and 40 primary and secondary metabolites in the three different colored flowers.

Accumulation of Carotenoids and Metabolic Profiling in Different Cultivars of Tagetes Flowers.

Species of , which belong to the family Asteraceae show different characteristics including, bloom size, shape, and color; plant size; and leaf shape. In this study, we determined the differences in primary metabolites and carotenoid yields among six cultivars from two species, and . In total, we detected seven carotenoids in the examined cultivars: violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, 9--β-carotene, and 13--β-carotene.

An Integrated Biochemical, Proteomics, and Metabolomics Approach for Supporting Medicinal Value of Panax ginseng Fruits.

Panax ginseng roots are well known for their medicinal properties and have been used in Korean and Chinese traditional medicines for 1000s of years. However, the medicinal value of P. ginseng fruits remain poorly characterized.

Comparative analysis of phytochemicals and polar metabolites from colored sweet potato ( L.) tubers.

We determined the phytochemical diversity, including carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids, in sweet potatoes ( L.) with distinctive flesh colors (white, orange, and purple) and identified hydrophilic primary metabolites. Carotenoid content was considerably higher in orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, wherein β-carotene was the most plentiful, and anthocyanins were detected only in purple-fleshed sweet potatoes.

Development of Selectable Marker-Free Transgenic Rice Plants with Enhanced Seed Tocopherol Content through FLP/FRT-Mediated Spontaneous Auto-Excision.

Development of marker-free transgenic plants is a technical alternative for avoiding concerns about the safety of selectable marker genes used in genetically modified (GM) crops. Here, we describe the construction of a spontaneous self-excision binary vector using an oxidative stress-inducible modified FLP/FRT system and its successful application to produce marker-free transgenic rice plants with enhanced seed tocopherol content. To generate selectable marker-free transgenic rice plants, we constructed a binary vector using the hpt selectable marker gene and the rice codon-optimized FLP (mFLP) gene under the control of an oxidative stress-inducible promoter between two FRT sites, along with multiple cloning sites for convenient cloning of genes of interest.

Anthocyanin and Carotenoid Contents in Different Cultivars of Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum Ramat.) Flower.

The flowers of twenty-three cultivars of Dendranthema grandiflorum Ramat. were investigated to determine anthocyanin and carotenoid levels and to confirm the effects of the pigments on the flower colors using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The cultivars contained the anthocyanins cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3g) and cyanidin 3-(3"-malonoyl) glucoside (C3mg) and the following carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, 13-cis-β-carotene, α-carotene, trans-β-carotene, and 9-cis-β-carotene.

Cadmium up-regulates transcription of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) gene through phosphorylated CREB rather than SF-1 in K28 cells.

Cadmium is a widely used heavy metal in industry and affects the male reproductive system of animals, including humans, as a result of occupational and environmental exposures. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its effect on steroidogenesis in gonads remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that exposure of K28 mouse testicular Leydig tumor cells to cadmium led to a significant increase in the mRNA level, promoter activity and protein level of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), an essential factor for steroid biosynthesis.

Comparative analysis of flavonoids and polar metabolite profiling of Tanno-original and Tanno-high rutin buckwheat.

Rutin is an important indicator for evaluating the quality of buckwheat. In this study, flavonoid biosynthesis was compared between two common cultivars (an original and a high-rutin line) of buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. Transcriptional levels of the main flavonoid biosynthetic genes were analyzed by real-time PCR, and main flavonoid metabolites were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); levels of gene expression varied among organs of the two cultivars.

Comparative analysis of flavonoids and polar metabolites from hairy roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Scutellaria lateriflora.

Baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin were accumulated in hairy roots derived from Scutellaria lateriflora and Scutellaria baicalensis. The levels of baicalein and baicalin were 6.8 and 5.

Metabolomic analysis and differential expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in white- and red-flowered buckwheat cultivars (Fagopyrum esculentum).

Red-flowered buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum ) is used in the production of tea, juice, and alcohols after the detoxification of fagopyrin. In order to investigate the metabolomics and regulatory of anthocyanin production in red-flowered (Gan-Chao) and white-flowered (Tanno) buckwheat cultivars, quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were conducted. The transcriptions of FePAL, FeC4H, Fe4CL1, FeF3H, FeANS, and FeDFR increased gradually from flowering stage 1 and reached their highest peaks at flowering stage 3 in Gan-Chao flower.