Concentration kinetics of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and its biosynthetic precursor coniferin in developing flaxseed.
BACKGROUND
In the plant kingdom, flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is the richest source of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), which is of great interest because of its potential health benefits for human beings. The information about the kinetics of SDG formation during flaxseed development is rare and incomplete.


OBJECTIVE
In this study, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method was developed to quantify SDG and coniferin, a key biosynthetic precursor of SDG in flaxseed.


METHODS
Seeds from different developmental stages, which were scaled by days after flowering (DAF), were harvested. After alkaline hydrolysis, the validated HPLC method was applied to determine SDG and coniferin concentrations of flaxseed from different developing stages.


RESULTS
Coniferin was found in the entire capsule as soon as flowering started and became undetectable 20 DAF. SDG was detected 6 DAF, and the concentration increased until maturity. On the other hand, the SDG amount in a single flaxseed approached the maximum around 25 DAF, before desiccation started. Concentration increase between 25 DAF and 35 DAF can be attributed to corresponding seed weight decrease.


CONCLUSIONS
The biosynthesis of coniferin is not synchronous with that of SDG. Hence, the concentrations of SDG and coniferin change during flaxseed development.
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Str. 8, Beutenberg Campus, 07745 Jena, Germany.
Jingjing
J
Fang
Aina
A
Ramsay
Christian
C
Paetz
Evangelos C
EC
Tatsis
Sullivan
S
Renouard
Christophe
C
Hano
Eric
E
Grand
Ophélie
O
Fliniaux
Albrecht
A
Roscher
Francois
F
Mesnard
Bernd
B
Schneider
D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D019597:Flax / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005960:Glucosides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
D002072:Butylene Glycols; D002934:Cinnamates; D005960:Glucosides; C016316:coniferin; C090142:secoisolariciresinol diglucoside