Biogenesis of C-glycosyl flavones and profiling of flavonoid glycosides in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 3;9(10):e108860. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108860. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Flavonoids in nine tissues of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and HPLC-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSn). Thirty-eight flavonoids were identified; eleven C-glycosides and five O-glycosides were discovered for the first time in N. nucifera. Most importantly, the C-glycosyl apigenin or luteolin detected in lotus plumules proved valuable for deep elucidation of flavonoid composition in lotus tissues and for further utilization as functional tea and medicine materials. Lotus leaves possessed the significantly highest amount of flavonoids (2.06E3±0.08 mg 100 g(-1) FW) and separating and purifying the bioactive compound, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, from leaves showed great potential. In contrast, flavonoids in flower stalks, seed coats and kernels were extremely low. Simultaneously, the optimal picking time was confirmed by comparing the compound contents in five developmental phases. Finally, we proposed the putative flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in N. nucifera.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Flavones / analysis
  • Flavones / metabolism*
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / metabolism*
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Glycosides / analysis
  • Glycosides / metabolism*
  • Nelumbo / metabolism*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Flavones
  • Flavonoids
  • Glycosides

Grants and funding

This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31071824 and 31270376), and International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of China (Grant No. 2011DFA30560). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.