The modulation of light quality on carotenoids in maize (Zea mays L.) sprouts

Nan Xiang; Yihan Zhao; Siyun Wang; Xinbo Guo

doi:10.1016/j.fochms.2022.100128

The modulation of light quality on carotenoids in maize (Zea mays L.) sprouts

Food Chem (Oxf). 2022 Aug 9:5:100128. doi: 10.1016/j.fochms.2022.100128. eCollection 2022 Dec 30.

Authors

Nan Xiang¹, Yihan Zhao¹, Siyun Wang², Xinbo Guo¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Food Science and Engineering, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Engineering Research Center of Starch and Vegetable Protein Processing Ministry of Education, Research Institute for Food Nutrition and Human Health, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
² Department of Food, Nutrition, and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the regulatory mechanisms of red, blue, and white light on carotenoid biosynthesis in maize sprouts. Determinations of carotenoid, chlorophyll and phytohormone profiles, as well as relative gene expression, were explored. The results identified enhancement of carotenoid and chlorophyll production as well as gene expression. Most notably, the expression levels of CRY, HY5, and beta-carotene 3-hydroxylase genes peaked under blue light. Photomorphogene-related hormone, auxins and strigolactone production was also altered under different lights and might have a role in carotenoid metabolism. Gibberellins competed with carotenoids for the precursor geranylgeranyl diphosphate and were hindered by certain light characteristics, probably via DELLA-PIF4 signalling. ERF021 and MYB68 were negative regulators of carotenoid biosynthesis in maize sprouts. These findings provide new insights into the light-regulated mechanism and biofortification of carotenoids in maize sprouts.

Keywords: 12-OPDA, (15Z)-12-oxophyto-10,15-dienoate; 5DS, 5-deoxystrigol; ACA, acetyl-CoA acyltransferase; AHP, histidine-containing phosphotransfer peotein; AOS, allene-oxide synthase; AUX, auxin influx carrier; CHYB, beta-carotene 3-hydroxylase; CHYE, carotenoid epsilon hydroxylase; CISZOG, cis-zeatin O-glucosyltransferase; COP1, constitutive photomorphogenic 1; CRTISO, carotenoid isomerase; CRY, cryptochrome; CTK, Cytokinin; Carotenoids; DXPR, 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase; ELF, early flowering; FC, fold change; FKF1, flavin-binding kelch repeat F-box protein 1; G2D, gibberellin 2beta-dioxygenase; GA, Gibberellin; GI, gigantean; HY5, elongated hypocotyl 5; IAA, Auxin; IPM, indole-3-pyruvate monooxygenase; JA, Jasmonic acid; JAZ, jasmonate ZIM domain-containing protein; LCYB, lycopene beta-cyclase; LCYE, lycopene epsilon-cyclase; LED, light-emitting diode; LOX, lipoxygenase; LUT5, LUTEIN DEFICIENT 5; Light quality; MEP/DOXP, methylerythritol phosphate/deoxyxylulose phosphate; MVA, mevalonate; Maize; Nutrition enhancement; OxIAA, 2-oxindole-3-acetic acid; PDS, 15-cis-phytoene desaturase; PHOT1, phototropin 1; PIF, phytochrome-interacting factor; PRR, pseudo-response regulator; PSY, 15-cis-phytoene synthase; Phytohormones; SA, Salicylic acid; SAG, salicylic acid 2-O-β-glucoside; SL, Strigolactone; Transcription factor; UVR, ultraviolet-B receptor; VDE, violaxanthin de-epoxidase; Z-ISO, zeta-carotene isomerase; ZDS, zeta-carotene desaturase; ZEP, zeaxanthin epoxidase; ZOG, cytokinin-O-glucosyltransferase; cry, cryptoxanthin.