Effects of Salicylic Acid on the Production of Procyanidin and Anthocyanin in Cultured Grape Cells

Abstract

The production of procyanidin and anthocyanin in grape cells is markedly increased by treatment with salicylic acid. The activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone-flavanone isomerase increased in close relation to the production of these phenolics. Salicylic acid-induced elevation of these enzyme activities occurred more rapidly than elevation induced by light irradiation. In the cells, the phenolics were degraded in a different manner by salicylic acid treatment than that by light irradiation. Salicylic acid might be used as a simple and effective stimulant for the production of procyanidin as well as anthocyanin in large scale cultures of plant cells. © 2003, Japanese Society for Plant Cell and Molecular Biology. All rights reserved.