Title : Biotechnological approaches for enhancing fenugreek germination and secondary metabolite production
Abstract:
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), a medicinally and nutritionally important leguminous plant, is widely recognized for its health-promoting bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and polyphenols. These secondary metabolites contribute to its pharmacological properties, such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, and anticancer activities. However, fenugreek cultivation is often constrained by poor germination rates, sensitivity to abiotic stress, and inconsistent metabolite production under varying environmental conditions. To address these challenges, biotechnological approaches have emerged as innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance both germination efficiency and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. This study investigates various biotechnological techniques that optimize fenugreek germination and phytochemical yield. Tissue culture methods, such as callus induction, suspension culture, and in vitro seed germination, provide controlled environments that eliminate dependence on external growth conditions, thereby improving germination rates and accelerating early-stage growth. The use of growth regulators, such as gibberellic acid (GA3) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), in seed priming and tissue culture has shown to significantly enhance seedling vigor and uniformity in fenugreek plants. Genetic engineering and gene editing technologies, including CRISPR-Cas9, have been employed to manipulate key biosynthetic pathways for enhanced production of secondary metabolites. Overexpression of pathway-specific genes, such as those involved in diosgenin biosynthesis, has demonstrated promising results in increasing the concentration of this pharmaceutically valuable compound. Additionally, transgenic approaches have enabled the development of fenugreek varieties with improved germination under stress conditions like salinity and drought, ensuring adaptability to diverse agricultural environments. The application of elicitors in tissue cultures, such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and fungal polysaccharides, has been instrumental in stimulating secondary metabolite production by activating the plant’s defense mechanisms. Abiotic elicitors, such as UV light and osmotic stress, have further enhanced the accumulation of phenolic compounds and saponins. Nanotechnology, through the use of nano-elicitors and nano-fertilizers, has emerged as a novel approach to optimize nutrient uptake, improve stress tolerance, and stimulate germination and metabolite synthesis. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in scaling up these biotechnological processes for commercial applications. Issues such as cost-efficiency, regulatory compliance, and consumer acceptance of genetically modified organisms need to be addressed to ensure successful translation of research findings into practice.
Key words: Fenugreek, Bioactive Compounds, Elicitors, Biotechnological Techniques
