Metabolomic analysis of methyl jasmonate treated Brassica rapa leaves by 2-dimensional NMR spectroscopy

The metabolomic analysis of Brassica rapa leaves treated with methyl jasmonate was performed using 2-dimensional J-resolved NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis. The principal component analysis of the J-resolved NMR spectra showed discrimination between control and methyl jasmonate treated plants by principal components 1 and 2. While the level of glucose, sucrose and amino acids showed a decrease after methyl jasmonate treatment, hydroxycinnamates and glucosinolate were highly increased. Methyl jasmonate treatment resulted in a long-term accumulation of indole glucosinolate and indole-3-acetic acid, lasting up to 14 days after treatment. Malate conjugated hydroxycinnamates also exhibited an increase until 14 days after methyl jasmonate treatment, these compounds might play an important role in plant defence responses mediated by methyl jasmonate. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.