Investigating the biosynthesis of major saponariosides in soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)

Jo, Seohyun (2022) Investigating the biosynthesis of major saponariosides in soapwort (Saponaria officinalis). Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

PDF Restricted to Repository staff only until 31 December 2025. Request a copy

Abstract

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is a flowering plant in the Caryophyllaceae family with a long history of use in human civilization as a traditional source of soap. Even today, soapwort extracts are still used in laundry detergents, cosmetics, herbal medicine, and as food additives. The well-known detergent properties of soapwort are due to the large amounts of bioactive saponins produced by this plant. Saponins present in soapwort extracts are triterpenoid glycosides which often have important pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and agronomical potentials. However, the properties of individual saponin components in soapwort are not well understood as these compounds are present in complex mixtures and thus difficult to isolate. Metabolic engineering may provide an alternative supply of pure soapwort saponins. At the commencement of this project, nothing was known about the biosynthesis of soapwort saponins. The overall aim of this project was to investigate the biosynthesis of major saponins (saponariosides A and B) found in soapwort. Metabolic analysis of soapwort organs revealed flowers as a potential major site of saponarioside biosynthesis. Based on this knowledge, RNA-Seq and genome sequence resources were generated for the discovery of saponarioside biosynthetic genes. Using these new sequence resources, a total of 13 saponarioside biosynthetic enzymes were identified, completing the biosynthetic pathway to saponarioside B. Only one step remains to be discovered to complete the pathway to saponarioside A. The newly characterized biosynthetic genes presented in this project open-up opportunities for metabolic engineering of soapwort saponins and analogues in heterologous systems, which may lead to large-scale production and biochemical studies of these biologically active saponins in the future.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	08 Jan 2025 09:22
Last Modified:	08 Jan 2025 09:22
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98114
DOI:

Actions (login required)

View Item