The effect of cold plasma on gene expression of major genes in the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids and essential oil contents in Ocimum basilicum L
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Abstract
The current study was conducted for studying the impact of cold plasma on the expression level of three genes that participate in the biosynthesis of the phenylpropanoid pathway in O. basilicum . These studied genes were cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), 4-coumarate coA ligase (4CL), and chavicol O-methyl transferase (CVOMT). Also, the cold plasma impact studied on the essential oil components and their relation with the gene expression level. The results appeared that cold plasma increased the germination seeds of treated groups 2 (treated for 3 minutes and 3 minutes after 7 days) ,and group 3(treated for 5 minutes and 3 minutes after 7 days) was faster than the control group. Also, The height average of the mature plants of groups 2and 3 was between (50 to73), (50 to 100) cm, respectively comparing to control group.
Moreover, the results indicated significant differences (P value ≤0.01) in the level of gene expression. Which increased for the C4H, 4CL, and CVOMT genes in group 2 about (5.63 ±0.39), (3.42 ±040) and (24.53±0.35) folds respectively compared with untreated control. Additionally, the level of gene expression increased for the C4H, 4CL, and CVOMT genes in group 3 about (42.34 ±049), (4.13 ±0.38), and (34.05 ±0.97)folds compared with untreated control.
Concerning the contents of essential oil for the control group, group 2, and group 3 were 0.434%, 0.713, and 0.792% (v/w) respectively. Moreover, the general component of the essential oil in the examined sweet basil, phenylpropanoids was the chavicol compound and its derivatives for the control group, group 2, and group 3 which were 6.77%,17.3%, and14 (v/w) respectively. We concluded the atmospheric cold plasma has shown an effect on gene expression and essential oil content of phenylpropanoid compounds in Ocimum basilicum L. cultivated in Iraq, as the essential oil contents have important therapeutic properties.