Light quality and explant type modulate growth, antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds production of calluses of Passiflora setacea cv BRS Perola do Cerrado

Key message Callus induction was affected by light quality, whereas bioactive compounds were modulated by the dedifferentiation process since flavonoids were detected in leaf tissues and fatty acids in calluses extracts. Passiflora species have high industrial and medicinal relevance, due to presence of specific metabolites and their recognized pharmacological activities. In vitro systems allow the modulation of secondary metabolites production according to culture conditions. In this work, we report the effect of different light emitting diodes (LED) on induction, metabolite production, and antioxidant properties of calluses derived from stem and leaf segments of P. setacea cv BRS Perola do Cerrado. Friable calluses were induced on MSM medium supplemented with picloram, under different light qualities (white fluorescent lamps or different types of LEDs) or in the dark. Light quality contributed more significantly for biomass accumulation than the other variables. Callus formation was observed in response to all treatments, although the highest biomass accumulation was induced by red LED. Chromatographic analyses indicated that blue LED induced the highest production of bioactive substances. All samples displayed low antioxidant potential by the DPPH assay, but showed a high capacity to chelate iron. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was also evaluated. The incubation under red LED caused an increase on the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase in calluses derived from internodal segments induced under red LED. This is the first study evaluating the effect of lighting conditions in in vitro systems of P. setacea cv BRS Perola do Cerrado, thus opening new possibilities of study and utilization.

Automated summary

The induction of calluses from Passiflora species is influenced by light quality, with bioactive compounds being modulated by the dedifferentiation process. Different LED lights can affect biomass accumulation and production of metabolites, with blue LED inducing the highest production of bioactive substances. The study highlights the importance of lighting conditions in in vitro systems for potential applications in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.