Distribution of lignans and lignan mono/diglucosides within Ginkgo biloba L. stem

To investigate the biosynthetic pathways and regulatory mechanisms of lignans in plants, the actual distributions of lignans and lignan glucosides in flash-frozen stems of Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) were studied using cryo time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry coupled with scanning electron microscopy (cryo-TOF-SIMS/ SEM). Four lignans and four lignan glucosides were successfully characterized. Quantitative HPLC measurements were conducted on serial tangential sections of freeze-fixed ginkgo stem to determine the amount and approximate distribution of lignan and lignan glucosides. (-)-Olivil 4,4 '-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (olivil DG) was the most abundant lignan glucoside in ginkgo and was distributed mainly in the phloem, ray parenchyma cells, and pith. The comparative accumulation of olivil DG revealed its possible transport pathways and storage sites in ginkgo. Although not all relevant enzymes have been identified, understanding the distributions of lignan and lignan glucosides in ginkgo stems provides significant insight into their biological functions.

Automated summary

In this study, cryo-TOF-SIMS/SEM was used to investigate the distribution of lignans and lignan glucosides in Ginkgo biloba stems. The most abundant lignan glucoside, olivil DG, was found to be mainly distributed in the phloem, ray parenchyma cells, and pith of Ginkgo biloba. The comparative accumulation of olivil DG provided insights into its transport pathways and storage sites in Ginkgo biloba. These findings contribute to the understanding of the biological functions of lignans and lignan glucosides.