Induction of betacyanin formation in cell cultures of Chenopodium album under UV-light irradiation

Abstract

A cell culture of Chenopodium album was cultivated under different light conditions (UV, blue, white, red light, and darkness). Red-violet coloured betacyanin-containing cell groups were formed on the surface of the cell culture only under UV-light or UV-containing light qualities (blue and white), respectively. A direct correlation exists between UV-portions of different light qualities and the number of red-violet cell groups formed, whereas light conditions without UV-light do not induce betacyanin formation. Betacyanins formed under UV-light were degraded after transfer to red light and darkness. The phytohormone kinetin enhanced the betacyanin formation in white light, but was unable to induce betacyanins in darkness. The phytohormone 2, 4-D totally inhibited the formation of betacyanins under all light conditions studied. All other investigated parameters of primary and secondary metabolism of the cells (protein content, respiration activity, concentration of carotenoids and flavonoids) only unspecifically increased in reaction to continuous UV-light irradiation. A selected yellow coloured cell strain autotroph to auxin was unable to form betacyanin under continuous UV-light irradiation and under increased kinetin concentration. © 1995 Oxford University Press.