Differential Metabolic Profiling by HPLC–PDA–MS of Wild Type and Transgenic Tobacco Plants Constitutively Producing Salicylic Acid

Abstract

The metabolite profiles of wild type tobacco plants and transgenic tobacco plants, constitutively producing salicylic acid (SA), were compared by means of liquid chromatography with online photo diode array and mass spectrometer detector (LC–PDA–MS). Statistical analysis of the peak area of 15 major peaks showed significant differences in quantities for three compounds, which are present in the extract before acid hydrolysis, containing mainly aglucones. By comparison of the retention time, UV spectra, and molecular weight with reference compounds, two of these peaks were identified as chlorogenic acid and rutin. The extracts obtained after acidic hydrolysis did not show any significant difference.

Keywords:

• Metabolic profiling
• Tobacco
• Transgenic plants
• Salicylic acid overexpression

Acknowledgments

Vincentius A. Halim would like to thank NUFFIC, The Netherlands for a TALIS Fellowship. We would like to acknowledge Frans Brederode and Sarah Bollendorff for growing the tobacco plants. We thank the “Van Leersumfonds KNAW” for financial support.