title: Chemometric analysis reveals links in the formation of fragrant bio-molecules during agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis) and fungal interactions.
abstract: Fragrant agarwood, arguably the costliest wood in the world, is formed by plant-fungal interactions in Aquilaria spp. However, very little is known about this fragrant outcome of interaction. Therefore, mimicking the ancient traditions of agarwood production in Assam (Northeast India), a chemometric assessment of the agarwood-fungus interaction was made by chemical profiling (GC-MS) coupled with statistical analysis (principal component, correlation network analysis) across three platforms, viz. callus, juvenile plants and resinous wood-chips with an associated Fusarium. In the study of callus-fungus interaction, increased accumulation of key aroma compounds such as pentatriacontane {fold change (log2FC) = 3.47)}, 17-pentatriacontene (log2FC = 2.95), tetradecane, 2-methyl- (log2FC = 1.10) over callus and activation of pathways related to defense and secondary metabolism indicated links to aroma production. Study on fungal interactions in juvenile plants and resinous wood-chips indicated formation of terpenoid precursors (e.g. farnesol, geranylgeraniol acetate) and agarwood sesquiterpenes (e.g. agarospirol, γ-eudesmol). Correlation network analysis revealed the possible regulation of sesquiterpene biosynthesis involving squalene. Also a direct role of fungus in aroma (e.g. dodecane, 4-methyl-, tetracosane) was highlighted. Appearance of fragrant molecules unknown to agarwood during interaction featured as a new possibility for future research.
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity &Ecosystem Research Group, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), DST, Govt. of India, Guwahati, 781035, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Supriyo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity &Ecosystem Research Group, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), DST, Govt. of India, Guwahati, 781035, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Madhusmita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dehingia
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity &Ecosystem Research Group, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), DST, Govt. of India, Guwahati, 781035, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Narayan Chandra
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Talukdar
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity &Ecosystem Research Group, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), DST, Govt. of India, Guwahati, 781035, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Mojibur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007194:India; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D029645:Thymelaeaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts