Plant biotechnology, a sustainable source of bioactive compounds from Lilium candidum

Lilium candidum, also known as White lily, is a monocot that belongs to the Liliaceae family and naturally grows throughout Mediterranean countries and western Asia. Bulbs and flowers are the traditionally used organs for therapeutic purposes [1]. However, leaves and roots can also be interesting sources of natural compounds for the industry. The use of biotechnology and in vitro culture for the propagation of L. candidum provide a sustainable production, constant over the year, and free from any contaminants. Depending on the plant organ, secondary metabolites profile and compound yields change, making each tissue a possible source of different bioactive molecules. We are presenting the in vitro generation of Lilium candidum differentiated biomass, under solid medium and temporary immersion bioreactors (leaves and roots). Compounds were extracted and analysed by HPLC-DAD and UPLC-MS, enabling a direct comparison of the quantity of each metabolite depending on the source of the extract. Both differentiated tissues (leaves and roots) showed a significantly enriched extract with specific metabolic profile. The nature of bioactive compounds from leaves consisted of derivatives of jatropham (pyrroline alkaloid) and the main constituent was assigned to a glycosilated kaempferol (flavonoid). However, in root extracts, the jatropham derivatives were present in low amounts and many other peaks corresponding to phenylpropanoid glycerol glucosides (PGG) were highlighted by mass spectrometry. The differences in metabolite contents of both organs have a direct impact on the activities of each extract. Kaempferol as well as jatropham and their derivatives are related to a wide range of pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or even anticancer [2]. The in vitro propagation of L. candidum is a sustainable approach to obtain bioactive extracts which can provide specific activities useful for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Keywords: White lily, kaempferol, jatropham, biotechnology, bioreactor

References:

[1] Pieroni A. Medicinal plants and food medicines in the folk traditions of the upper Lucca Province, Italy. J Ethnopharmacol 2000; 15: 235 – 237

[2] Vachálková A, Eisenreichová E, Haladová M, Mučaji P, Jóžová B, Novotný L. Potencial carcinogenic and inhibitory activity of compounds isolated from Lilium candidum L. Neoplasma 2000; 47: 313 – 318