The Metabolic Screening in Wounded Scales of Hippeastrum × hybridum Hort. Bulbs

The aim of this study was to determine changes in primary and secondary metabolites after four days of storage of mechanically wounded Hippeastrum × hybridum Hort. (amaryllis) bulbs. Mechanically wounded scales of amaryllis bulbs stored for four days change color from white to orange-red, which is the plant's protective response to stress caused by damage. During this process, changes in the content of primary metabolites (carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids) and secondary metabolites (flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins) were analyzed. The resulting color of Hippeastrum scales is due to the presence of several pigmented phenolic compounds: flavonoids, phenolic acids and anthocyanins. In particular, the increase in anthocyanin and luteolin content in stored scales probably affected the intensity of their color. The decrease in l-phenylalanine content in the Hippeastrum scales to trace levels indicates high intensity of phenolic compound biosynthesis. The increased content of 4-coumaric, ferulic and sinapic acids suggests that the lignification process also occurs. Moreover, the observed significant decrease in glucose, galactose, and sucrose levels indicates intense respiration processes and biosynthesis of various metabolites, which may contribute to counteracting wound-related stress. Mechanical wounding and storage of wounded Hippeastrum bulbs for several days may be a simple way to improve the quality of pharmaceutical products manufactured from these bulbs, but this requires further investigations.