Effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate in elicited anthocyanin-producing cell cultures of ohelo (Vaccinium pahalae)

Elicitation of anthocyanin-producing cells of ohelo (Vaccinium pahalae) by both biotic (purified beta-glucan and chitosan) and abiotic [sodium ferric ethylenediamine di-(o-hydroxyphenylacetate) FeEDDHA, and CuSO4] elicitors r esulted in significant enhancement of anthocyanin accumulation. Anthocyanin production increased up to 1.8 and 1.5-fold over the control in the presen ce of abiotic elicitors (90 mu M FeEDDHA and 20 mu M CuSO4, respectively), and increased 1.9 and 1.6-fold in the presence of biotic elicitors (10 mg L -1 beta-glucan and 100 mg L-1 chitosan). Maximum anthocyanin production wit h the two most effective elicitors was achieved when cultures were treated on Day 3 (beta-glucan) or Day 0 (FeEDDHA) after the initiation of fresh cel l cultures. A concentration-dependent response was exhibited by cultures tr eated with exogenous methyl jasmonate (MJ). The addition of 0.5 mu M MJ alo ne provoked a 2-3-fold increase in anthocyanin production over that of the control: however, no additive effect on anthocyanin production was observed in any treatments which combined MJ and beta-glucan or FeEDDHA. Conditioni ng of the cells with a preculture in either MJ, beta-glucan, or FeEDDHA sim ilarly did not enhance anthocyanin production. Inoculation of cultures elic ited by MJ or beta-glucan with ibuprofen, a reported inhibitor of jasmonate biosynthesis, dramatically stimulated, rather than inhibited, anthocyanin production, resulting in levels of accumulation beyond any of the tested el icitor combinations. Hypotheses for the observed influence of ibuprofen in this system are discussed.