engleski

Role of specialized metabolites in Brassica oleracea var. acephala abiotic stress response

Cruciferous vegetables belong to the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae), with many genera, species, and cultivars and with a great cultivation potential under various climatic conditions. One of the oldest vegetable from Brassicaceae family, originating in the eastern Mediterranean is non-headed kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala). Plants from those group posses good tolerance to unplesent environmental conditions and are tolerant to the extreme temperature fluctuations caused by climate change. In the recent years, with the growing interest in healthy food, varieties from those group have gained worldwide popularity due to low calorie value and high content of health-benefitial compounds including vitamins and non-vitamin compounds such as carotenoids, glucosinolates and their derivatives, and polyphenols. Due to their specific biological functions, compounds that are associated with health benefits in humans often play critical roles in plant growth and survival in the changing environment. The aim of present study was to investigate the role of specialized metabolites in B. oleracea var. acephala stress adaptation capability. Agar-grown plants were exposed to abiotic stresses (salt stress and low temperature stress) in comparison with the control. Then we determined morphological changes, stress markers and the level of main groups of specialized metabolites.

Brassica oleracea var. acephala ; abiotic stress ; specialized metabolites

This work has been supported by the Unity Through Knowledge Fund (Grant. No. 12/17) and the Croatian Science Foundation (Grant No. IP-2014-09-4359).