Composition and structural characterization of pectin in micropropagated and conventional plants of Premma puberula Pamp.

The metabolites produced by plants can be enhanced by plant tissue culture. In Premma puberula Pamp., the pectin content in leaves is 30 %-40 %, and it is widely used in the food industry and medicine. However, inefficient propagation has seriously restricted the utilization of pectin resources. Therefore, we established an efficient micropropagation technology for P. puberula through comparative analysis in mature leaves of regen-erated and conventionally propagated plants. The results showed that the pectin composition of their leaves was similar in terms of galacturonic acid, monosaccharide composition, degree of esterification, functional groups, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and morphological characteristics. Furthermore, micropropagated plants had better hardness, gumminess and chewiness characteristics than conventionally propagated plants and were similar in emulsion stability, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness and viscoelasticity. Therefore, micro-propagation technology will provide an important guarantee for the industrial production of pectin from P. puberula. The technical essentials include callus induction, embryoid formation, and root induction, followed by acclimatization and transplanting.

Automated summary

Efficient micropropagation technology for Premna puberula has been established through comparative analysis, providing an important guarantee for industrial pectin production. Micropropagated plants exhibit superior quality characteristics compared to conventionally propagated plants, contributing to the utilization of pectin resources.