Plant Primary Metabolites Analysis Service

What are Plant Primary Metabolites?

Plant primary metabolites are essential organic compounds that play critical roles in the growth, development, and overall physiology of plants. These metabolites are directly involved in vital processes such as energy production, cellular structure formation, and metabolic pathways. Key categories of primary metabolites include carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, and fatty acids.

Carbohydrates, such as glucose and sucrose, serve as primary energy sources and structural components, contributing to plant growth and energy storage. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are crucial for various biological functions, including enzyme activity, cellular repair, and signaling. Organic acids, like citric and malic acid, are integral to metabolic pathways, particularly in cellular respiration and the Krebs cycle. Fatty acids are vital for membrane integrity and energy storage, influencing plant resilience and adaptability.

The study of primary metabolites is essential for understanding plant physiology, improving agricultural practices, and enhancing crop yields. These compounds are not only fundamental to plant health but also impact food quality, nutritional value, and the ecological interactions between plants and their environments.

At Creative Proteomics, we provide metabolites analysis service to comprehensive insights into these plant primary compounds, enabling researchers and businesses to make informed decisions.

Plant Primary Metabolites Analysis Offered by Creative Proteomics

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis: Determining the presence and concentration of primary metabolites in plant samples.

Metabolomic Profiling: Profiling multiple metabolites simultaneously to provide a holistic view of the metabolic state of the plant.

Metabolite Identification: Utilizing advanced techniques to identify unknown metabolites in complex plant matrices.

Customized Analysis Solutions: Tailoring analysis to meet specific research or industrial needs.

List of Detected Plant Primary Metabolites

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Metabolomics Services

We provide unbiased non-targeted metabolomics and precise targeted metabolomics services to unravel the secrets of biological processes.

Our untargeted approach identifies and screens for differential metabolites, which are confirmed by standard methods. Follow-up targeted metabolomics studies validate important findings and support biomarker development.

Download our brochure to learn more about our solutions.

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Technology Platforms for Plant Primary Metabolites Assay

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): GC-MS is the go-to method for analyzing volatile plant metabolites. It features a gas chromatograph paired with a mass spectrometer, focusing on key parameters like column type, carrier gas flow rate, and ionization technique. You can benefit from high detection limits, efficient throughput, and effective analysis of complex plant samples.

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS): LC-MS is ideal for non-volatile and thermally sensitive compounds. This technique combines a liquid chromatograph with a mass spectrometer, with critical aspects including mobile phase selection and ionization methods (e.g., ESI, APCI). You can appreciate its reproducibility, quantitative accuracy, and extensive range of detectable metabolites.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy: NMR provides non-destructive analysis of plant metabolites with excellent spectral resolution. Utilizing superconducting magnets and frequencies from 400 to 1000 MHz, it offers comprehensive metabolite characterization. You can value its sensitivity and quantitative capabilities in complex samples.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): HPLC is used for separating and quantifying various primary metabolites. It consists of a pump, column, and detector (UV/Vis or PDA). Key parameters include flow rate and column type. You can prioritize cost-effectiveness, robustness, and flexibility in sample preparation.

Sample Requirements for Plant Primary Metabolites Analysis

Notes:

• Ensure samples are collected and processed quickly to minimize metabolite degradation.
• Clearly label all samples with relevant information, including the sample type, collection date, and any treatments applied.
• Contact us for specific guidance on sample preparation or if you have unique sample types.

Plant Growth Promotion, Phytohormone Production and Genomics of the Rhizosphere-Associated Microalga, Micractinium rhizosphaerae sp. nov.

Journal: Plants

Published: 2023

Background

Microalgae are integral components of soil and plant microbiomes, contributing to soil health and promoting plant growth. This study focuses on the functional and genomic characterization of a newly identified microalga strain, NFX-FRZ, isolated from the rhizosphere of a wild Ficus tree in Portugal. The findings reveal that this strain not only binds to tomato plant tissues and promotes growth but also synthesizes various phytohormones and possesses multiple genes linked to phytohormone biosynthesis. This research underscores the potential of eukaryotic microalgae as agents for plant growth promotion, paving the way for further investigations into their roles in soil and plant interactions.

Materials & Methods

Strain Isolation, Identification, and Characterization

The NFX-FRZ strain was isolated from the roots of a wild Ficus tree in Portugal. Roots were washed with sterile water, and the solution was plated on algae culture agar, incubated under light and temperature conditions. Identification was confirmed through genomic data (18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and morphological observation via microscopy.

Phylogenetic Analysis

Sequences of Micractinium species were obtained from the NCBI database and aligned using MUSCLE. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed with MEGA X, employing the maximum likelihood method and bootstrapping for robustness.

Growth Kinetics under Autotrophic Conditions

Axenic autotrophic growth experiments were conducted in 2 L Schott flasks with 1.5X algae culture broth. Cultivation occurred at 22 °C under specific light and aeration conditions, starting with an inoculum of approximately 1 × 10^6 cells/mL.

Tomato Plant Growth Promotion Assays

Tomato growth promotion was evaluated using various treatments on agar plates. NFX-FRZ exudates were tested by creating agar plates from microalgal exudates. Germinated seedlings were used to assess root and shoot elongation and fresh weight, with statistical analysis performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test.

Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis of NFX-FRZ Exudates

Supernatants from growth experiments were collected and subjected to metabolomic analysis. Samples were lyophilized, dissolved in methanol, and prepared for LC-MS. Metabolites were identified and quantified using Compound Discoverer software.

Genome Sequencing and Analysis

Total genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced, followed by assembly and annotation. The completeness and functional annotations of the nuclear genome, chloroplast, and mitochondrial genomes were assessed using bioinformatics tools, including GHOSTKOALA and BLASTp.

Results

Characterization of Micractinium rhizosphaerae sp. nov.

Strain NFX-FRZ is spherical, measuring ~3.5 × 3.2 μm, non-motile, reproducing via autospores. It contains a single cup-shaped chloroplast with a defined pyrenoid and distinct starch and lipid bodies. BLAST analysis confirmed a high similarity to Micractinium species, with phylogenetic analysis indicating NFX-FRZ as a novel species, Micractinium rhizosphaerae sp. nov.

Promotes Tomato Plant Growth and Binds to Roots

NFX-FRZ significantly enhanced tomato plant growth in exudate agar compared to controls, showing increased shoot elongation and fresh weight. In contrast, algae culture agar negatively affected growth, potentially due to nutrient imbalances. NFX-FRZ also attached to tomato roots, forming clusters, indicating its potential as a beneficial agent in agriculture.

Metabolomic Analysis Revealed Phytohormones and Growth Compounds

Untargeted metabolomic analysis identified 115 compounds from 5563 peaks in negative mode and 146 from 3497 in positive mode. Key compounds included organic acids and phytohormones, with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) being predominant, suggesting it contributes to NFX-FRZ's plant growth-promoting effects.

Genomic Properties

The genome size of NFX-FRZ is 68.28 Mbp, with a GC content of 65.3%. It comprises 1497 contigs with functional annotations indicating similarities to Micractinium conductrix, though unique modules were identified in NFX-FRZ that could affect cell wall properties.

Insights into Phytohormone Production

The NFX-FRZ genome supports IAA synthesis through various pathways, and several genes related to transport and signaling were identified. It also contains genes for salicylic acid and jasmonic acid biosynthesis, though signaling mechanisms may differ from those in higher plants, indicating unique regulatory systems in Micractinium.

Table 1. Top 30 compounds identified in NFX-FRZ exudates (15 from each of negative and positive ionization modes).

Table 2. Phytohormones detected in M. rhizosphaerae NFX-FRZ exudates.

Reference

1. Quintas-Nunes, Francisco, et al. "Plant Growth Promotion, Phytohormone Production and Genomics of the Rhizosphere-Associated Microalga, Micractinium rhizosphaerae sp. nov." Plants 12.3 (2023): 651.