UGT 709G1: a novel UDP ‐glycosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of picrocrocin, the precursor of safranal in saffron ( Crocus sativus )

What is it about?

Saffron (C. sativus) is the world’s most expensive and adulterated spice, mainly due to the high-value of a group of metabolites belonging to the apocarotenoid class. They include crocins, picrocrocin and safranal (color, bitter taste and aroma, respectively). However, while the former can be reproduced by more economical plant matrices, no alternative sources are available for the latters. Using transcriptomic data from saffron and one wild-relative (C. sieberi), we identified a candidate UGT, named UGT709G1, able to produce picrocrocin from the precursor HTTC. This activity was confirmed in bacterio as well in planta experiments. Furthermore, we showed that, despite what occurring for crocins, picrocrocin accumulation is limited to few Crocus species, and likely arose later in its evolution.

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