Factors affecting galanthamine production in Narcissus

Author(s):
Akram, M.N.
Published
2020
Publication type
Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

Narcissus is an economically important crop with a large number of species, hybrids and/or varieties in cultivation. It is one of the most popular ornamental plants. The Netherlands is among the top producers of Narcissus in the world. The ornamental value of Narcissus is quite well known but they can also be a valuable resource of natural compounds. Among these compounds, galanthamine has been successfully commercialized as medicine for the treatment of early to mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The characteristic symptoms of this disease are loss of memory and impairment of multiple cognitive and emotional functions. The objective was to find out how galanthamine levels could be enhanced to convert this floricultural crop into a medicinal crop. There are different factors that influence the production of galanthamine and other metabolites in the bulbs. Effect of various factors such as preanalytical methods, bulb location and age along with effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the growth and yield were studied. From the results, it is evident that factors have detrimental effect on the total bulb yield and galanthamine levels.

MetabolomicsGCNMRAlkaloidsGalanthamineBiotic and abiotic stress
Defense date
2020-06-24
Language
English
Supervisor(s)
Verpoorte, R.
Advisor(s)
Choi, Y.H.; Pomahačová, B.
Committee member(s)
Bouwmeester, H.J.; Bastida, J.; Laurain-Mattar, D; Klinkhamer, P.G.L.; Spaink, H.P.
Qualification
Ph.D.
Degree granting institution
Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Faculty of Science, Leiden University, Leiden
hdl
1887/133432

Funding

Sponsorship
Higher Education Commission, Islamabad, Pakistan