Caffeine biosynthesis and degradation in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] is under developmental and seasonal regulation.
To study caffeine biosynthesis and degradation, here we monitored caffeine synthase gene expression and caffeine and allantoin content in various tissues of four Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze cultivars during non-dormant (ND) and dormant (D) growth phases. Caffeine synthase expression as well as caffeine content was found to be higher in commercially utilized tissues like apical bud, 1st leaf, 2nd leaf, young stem, and was lower in old leaf during ND compared to D growth phase. Among fruit parts, fruit coats have higher caffeine synthase expression, caffeine content, and allantoin content. On contrary, allantoin content was found lower in the commercially utilized tissues and higher in old leaf. Results suggested that caffeine synthesis and degradation in tea appears to be under developmental and seasonal regulation.
Mohanpuria
Prashant
P
Biotechnology Division, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Palampur, HP, India.
Kumar
Vinay
V
Joshi
Robin
R
Gulati
Ashu
A
Ahuja
Paramvir Singh
PS
Yadav
Sudesh Kumar
SK
D002110:Caffeine / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons
D002110:Caffeine