Molecular shield for protection of buckwheat plants from UV-B radiation

Kreft, Ivan (author), Vollmannová, Alena (author), Lidiková, Judita (author), Musilová, Janette (author), Germ, Mateja (author), Golob, Aleksandra (author), Vombergar, Blanka (author), Kocjan Ačko, Darja (author), Luthar, Zlata (author)

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) and common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) are adapted to growing in harsh conditions of high altitudes. Ultraviolet radiation at high altitudes strongly impacts plant growth and development. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, protecting substances are synthesized in plants. The synthesis of UV-B defense metabolites is genetically conditioned, and their quantity depends on the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation to which the plants and plant parts are exposed. These substances include flavonoids, and especially rutin. Other substances with aromatic rings of six carbon atoms have a similar function, including fagopyrin, the metabolite specific for buckwheat. Defensive substances are formed in the leaves and flowers of common and Tartary buckwheat, up to about the same concentration in both species. Incomparison, the concentration of rutin in the grain of Tartary buckwheat is much higher than in common buckwheat. Flavonoids also have other functions in plants so that they can protect them from pests and diseases. After crushing the grains, rutin is exposed to contact with the molecules of rutin-degrading enzymes. In an environment with the necessary humidity, rutin is turned into bitter quercetin under the action of rutin-degrading enzymes. This bitterness has a deterrent effect against pests. Moreover, flavonoids have important functions in human nutrition to prevent several chronic diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, gallstone formation, and hypertension.

• Language: English
• Keywords: buckwheat, rutin, quercetin, flavonoid, secondary metabolites, UV radiation, altitude, climatic change
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: 11 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 27, iss. 17, art. 5577
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-142246
• UDC: 633
• ISSN on article: 1420-3049
• COBISS.SI-ID: 127390467
• Publication date in RUL: 27.10.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Molecules
• Shortened title: Molecules
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1420-3049
• COBISS.SI-ID: 18462981

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: ajda, sekundarni metaboliti, rutin, kvercetin, flavonoidi, UV sevanje, klimatske spremembe, nadmorska višina