LED blue light enhances the accumulation and synthesis of steroidal alkaloids in Fritillaria unibracteata Hsiao et K. C. Hsia in vitro

The unique light environment of alpine regions exerts significant influences on the growth, development, and metabolism of alpine plants, with light quality being a fundamental component of light conditions. Varied light qualities manifest diverse effects on plant physiology and function. In order to investigate the impact of light quality on F. unibracteata, this study conducted a comparative analysis of six distinct light quality treatments on the growth, development, stress tolerance, and bioactive compound content of isolated seedlings, and to determine the biomass, physiological parameters, and concentrations of medicinal constituents. It was showed that the blue light treatment was beneficial to F. unibracteata to maintain stable plant growth and increase the total alkaloid content. Furthermore, we explored the effects of blue light treatment on the growth and major medicinal components of F. unibracteata using transcriptome sequencing technology. Through DEGs analysis, we explain the mechanism by which F. unibracteata responds to blue light and that blue light promotes alkaloid accumulation by up-regulating the MEP pathway in the steroidal alkaloid synthesis pathway. These findings suggest that optimizing light conditions can regulate F. unibracteata growth, development, and active ingredient content, laying the groundwork for potential large-scale production.