Production of specialized metabolites in plant cell and organo-cultures: the role of gamma radiation in eliciting secondary metabolism

Abstract

Purpose

To provide an updated summary of recent advances in the application of gamma irradiation to elicit secondary metabolism and for induction of mutations in plant cell and organ cultures for the production of industrially important specialized metabolites (SMs).

Conclusions

Research on the application of gamma radiation with plants has contributed a lot to microbial decontamination of seeds, and the promotion of physiological processes such as seed germination, seedling vigor, plant growth, and development. Various studies have demonstrated the influence of gamma rays on the morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of plants. Recent research efforts have also shown that low-dose gamma (5–100 Gy) irradiation can be utilized as an expedient solution to alleviate the deleterious effect of abiotic stresses and to obtain better yields of plants. Inducing mutagenesis using gamma irradiation has also evolved as a better option for inducing genetic variability in crops, vegetables, medicinal and ornamentals for their genetic improvement. Plant SMs are gaining increasing importance as pharmaceutical, therapeutic, cosmetic, and agricultural products. Plant cell, tissue, and organ cultures represent an attractive alternative to conventional methods of procuring useful SMs. Among the varied approaches the elicitor-induced in vitro culture techniques are considered an efficient tool for studying and improving the production of SMs. This review focuses on the utilization of low-dose gamma irradiation in the production of high-value SMs such as phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Furthermore, we present varied successful examples of gamma-ray-induced mutations in the production of SMs.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Elicitation
• gamma rays
• ionizing radiation
• mutants
• reactive oxygen species
• secondary metabolites

Acknowledgments

Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy is thankful for the “Brain Pool” (Grant No. 2022H1D3A2A02056665) of the National Research Foundation, Republic Korea, and Dr. Rajaramanna fellowship awarded by the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India (Grant No. D.O. No. 1003/6/2023/R&D/II/DAE/6461).

Authors’ contributions

HNM: conceptualization; HNM: investigation, data curation, and formalization; SYP: resources and validation; HNM, KSJ, KYP, and SYP: writing, review, and editing. All the authors have read and agreed to the published version of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant (MSIT) (No. NRF-2020R1A2C2102401), Korea, and the Technology Innovation Program (Grant number P0018148) funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE, Korea)

Notes on contributors

Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy was a Professor at Department of Botany, Karnatak University, India, currently working as a Professor at Department of Biotechnology, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, India and Brain Pool Fellow at Department of Horticulture, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea. He is a researcher in the field of Plant Biotechnology and involved in teaching the graduate and master students.

Kadanthottu Sebastian Joseph

Kadanthottu Sebastian Joseph is an Assistant Professor at Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India. He is involved in teaching the graduate and master students.

Kee Yoeup Paek

Kee Yoeup Paek is an Endowment Professor at Department of Horticulture, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea and CEO, Well Green Biotech Co., Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea. He is a researcher in the field of Plant Biotechnology.

So Young Park

So Young Park is a Professor at Department of Horticulture, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea. She is a researcher in the field of Plant Biotechnology and involved in teaching the graduate and master students.