title: Metabolite profiling of Dioscorea (yam) species reveals underutilised biodiversity and renewable sources for high-value compounds.
abstract: Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are a multispecies crop with production in over 50 countries generating ~50 MT of edible tubers annually. The long-term storage potential of these tubers is vital for food security in developing countries. Furthermore, many species are important sources of pharmaceutical precursors. Despite these attributes as staple food crops and sources of high-value chemicals, Dioscorea spp. remain largely neglected in comparison to other staple tuber crops of tropical agricultural systems such as cassava (Manihot esculenta) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). To date, studies have focussed on the tubers or rhizomes of Dioscorea, neglecting the foliage as waste. In the present study metabolite profiling procedures, using GC-MS approaches, have been established to assess biochemical diversity across species. The robustness of the procedures was shown using material from the phylogenetic clades. The resultant data allowed separation of the genotypes into clades, species and morphological traits with a putative geographical origin. Additionally, we show the potential of foliage material as a renewable source of high-value compounds.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.|Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW20 3AB, UK.
authors.forename: Elliott J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW20 3AB, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wilkin
authors.affiliation: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW20 3AB, UK.
authors.forename: Viswambharan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sarasan
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fraser
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000378:metabolism*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005843:Geography; D055442:Metabolome; D055432:Metabolomics / Q000379:methods*; D010802:Phylogeny; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D012765:Shikimic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012765:Shikimic Acid