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Plyatocodon grandiflorus is an important medicinal herb, its rhizomes are utilized as vegetables and as medicinal food. In this investigation, we were able to successfully isolate protoplasts from P. grandiflorus leaf mesophyll tissues in order to promote the development of calli. It has been determined what are the ideal conditions for protoplast isolation, involving the combination of enzymes, the osmoticum, and the length of enzyme digestion. For the most effective results, cell protoplast washing (CPW) medium with 1.0% Viscozyme® L + 3% Celluclast® 1.5 L + 0.5% Pectinex® XXL + 0.4 M mannitol and 8 h of incubation was used to isolate protoplasts from leaf mesophyll tissues. The thin alginate layer (TAL) approach was utilized to embed the protoplasts. Subsequently, TAL segments were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 3% sucrose, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 0, 0.56, 1.12 µM), and phytosulfokine (PSK, 0, 0.05, 0.1 µM). The optimal concentration of 2,4-D and PSK for initiation of protoplast division, multicell development, and micro-callus formation was predicted using response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). Based on the CCD responses, it was determined that 1.12 µM 2,4-D and 0.065 µM PSK were the best concentrations to induce protoplast division and the formation of micro-calluses. The acquired results are valuable for P. grandiflorus protoplast isolation and culture; however, coordinated efforts are required for plant regeneration using callus produced from protoplasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose disease, caused by Colletotrichum incanum, has emerged and affected the production of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) in Viet Nam. The current study aims to characterize C. incanum and evaluate its sensitivity to fungicides. C. incanum was identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The study revealed that Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) was the most suitable medium for the growth of C. incanum. The optimal conditions were observed at temperatures ranging between 25-28 °C and pH levels of 6.5-7.0. Antracol 70WP at a concentration of 3.00 g L−1, Tilt Super® 300EC at 0.03 ml L−1, and Ridomil Gold® 68WG at 4.5 g L−1 exhibited high efficacy in inhibiting the growth and development of C. incanum isolates under in vitro conditions. It's worth noting that this study marks the first report of C. incanum causing anthracnose disease in balloon flower in Viet Nam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterlogging stress is a major limiting factor resulting in stunted growth and loss of crop productivity, especially for root crops. However, physiological responses to waterlogging have been studied in only a few plant models. To gain insight into how balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC) responds to waterlogging stress, we investigate changes to sucrose metabolism combined with a physiological analysis. Although waterlogging stress decreased the photosynthetic rate in balloon flower, leaves exhibited an increase in glucose (ninefold), fructose (4.7-fold), and sucrose (2.1-fold), indicating inhibition of sugar transport via the phloem. In addition, roots showed a typical response to hypoxia, such as the accumulation of proline (4.5-fold higher than in control roots) and soluble sugars (2.1-fold higher than in control roots). The activities and expression patterns of sucrose catabolizing enzymes suggest that waterlogging stress leads to a shift in the pathway of sucrose degradation from invertase to sucrose synthase (Susy), which consumes less ATP. Furthermore, we suggest that the waterlogging-stress-induced gene PlgSusy1 encodes the functional Susy enzyme, which may contribute to improving tolerance in balloon flower to waterlogging. As a first step toward understanding the waterlogging-induced regulatory mechanisms in balloon flower, we provide a solid foundation for further understanding waterlogging-induced alterations in source-sink relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of balloon flower sprout's saponin production in a plant factory with artificial lighting (PFAL). Balloon flower has been traditionally used as herbal medicine and now, it is used as a medicinal plant as well as a functional food. It is important to establish the cultivation conditions for the stable production of high-quality balloon flower. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of culture systems and temperature conditions on the growth and saponin accumulation of balloon flower sprouts in controlled environment systems. One-year balloon flower roots were cultivated in soil and soilless culture systems at different temperature conditions (20, 25, and 30 °C) for 17 days. The results showed that the shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight of the balloon flower sprouts grown in the soilless culture system at 25 °C were significantly increased by about 1.29 and 1.58 times, respectively, as compared with those of the sprouts grown in a soil culture system. Sprouts grown in the soilless culture system at 25 °C also recorded the highest root fresh weight, whereas there was no significant difference in root dry weight among the treatments. The plant height results showed an increased trend similar to that of the shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight of the balloon flower sprouts. The concentrations of platycodin D3 (Pd-D3), polygalcin D (Pc-D), and total saponin in the shoot parts were highest in the soilless culture system at 20 and 25 °C. The root parts of sprouts grown in the soilless culture system at 30 °C also had higher deapioplatycodin D (Dpd-D) and total saponin concentrations. Overall, these results suggest that a soilless culture system with temperature conditions at 20 and 25 °C is suitable for improving the growth and saponin concentration of balloon flower cultivated in PFALs. Ultimately, our research should be a valuable resource for future research on the production of medicinal plants such as sprouts and should provide basic information to establish methods for enhancing the growth and bioactive compounds in balloon flower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platycosides are the functional saponins present in balloon flowers that exert diverse biological effects, and which can be further improved by their deglycosylation. Deapiose-xylosylated platycodin D, which is absent in balloon flowers, can be generated only by cytolase PCL5 by acting on platycoside E. To improve cytolase PCL5-catalyzed production of deapiose-xylosylated platycodin D from platycoside E, we explored the use of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). At an HHP of 150 MPa, the optimal temperature of cytolase PCL5 activity for converting platycoside E into deapiose-xylosylated platycodin D shifted from 50 to 55 °C, and increased the activity and stability of the enzyme by 5- and 4.9-fold, respectively. Under HHP, the enzyme completely converted 1 mM platycoside E into deapiose-xylosylated platycodin D within 4 h, with a 3.75-fold higher productivity than that under atmospheric pressure. Our results suggest that the application of HHP is a potential method for the economical production of platycosides and enzyme-catalyzed biotransformation of functional saponins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platycodon grandiflorus is an ornamental species that can be marketed as a potted flower; however, it has fragile and bending floral stems. Plant growth regulators, such as paclobutrazol, are compounds that reduce stem elongation, enabling the production of plants with a more compact formation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of paclobutrazol on platycodon growth, in a greenhouse. A completely randomized blocks experimental design was used in a 4 × 5 factorial scheme, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of four varieties of ‘Astra Semi-Double’ platycodon (Blue, Lavender, Pink and White) and five paclobutrazol doses (0, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 mg pot-1). The paclobutrazol application did not affect the stem diameter, number of leaves, days until anthesis, number of flowers or flower buds, and flower diameter. The shoot length, leaf area and shoot dry mass decreased with higher doses of the growth regulator. Lavender showed the highest values for shoot length, number of leaves, leaf area and shoot dry mass. Pink had the earliest anthesis, followed by Blue and White, whereas Lavender had the latest anthesis. The dose of 3.75 mg pot-1 of paclobutrazol efficiently controlled the growth and improved the visual quality of all the platycodon varieties.

Platycosides, saponins contained in balloon flower, which have been used as food health supplements for respiratory diseases, have diverse pharmacological effects. Platycosides exhibit better pharmacological activity by hydrolyzing their own sugars. However, to date, there have been no studies on the production of deglucosylated platycodin D suitable for food applications. In this study, Pluszyme 2000P, which was derived from Aspergillus niger, a food-grade microorganism, was used to completely convert platycoside E into deglucosylated platycodin D. For an efficient and economical production of deglucosylated platycodin D, the productivity was improved approximately 2.4 times by application of high hydrostatic pressure and the discarded balloon flower leaf was used as a substrate. As a result, deglucosylated platycodin D was produced with the highest concentration (3.49 mg/mL) and productivity (581.7 mg/L/h) reported so far. Our results contribute to functional saponin production and the related food industries.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of balloon flower sprout’s saponin production in a plant factory with artificial lighting (PFAL). Balloon flower has been traditionally used as herbal medicine and now, it is used as a medicinal plant as well as a functional food. It is important to establish the cultivation conditions for the stable production of high-quality balloon flower. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of culture systems and temperature conditions on the growth and saponin accumulation of balloon flower sprouts in controlled environment systems. One-year balloon flower roots were cultivated in soil and soilless culture systems at different temperature conditions (20, 25, and 30 °C) for 17 days. The results showed that the shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight of the balloon flower sprouts grown in the soilless culture system at 25 °C were significantly increased by about 1.29 and 1.58 times, respectively, as compared with those of the sprouts grown in a soil culture system. Sprouts grown in the soilless culture system at 25 °C also recorded the highest root fresh weight, whereas there was no significant difference in root dry weight among the treatments. The plant height results showed an increased trend similar to that of the shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight of the balloon flower sprouts. The concentrations of platycodin D3 (Pd-D3), polygalcin D (Pc-D), and total saponin in the shoot parts were highest in the soilless culture system at 20 and 25 °C. The root parts of sprouts grown in the soilless culture system at 30 °C also had higher deapioplatycodin D (Dpd-D) and total saponin concentrations. Overall, these results suggest that a soilless culture system with temperature conditions at 20 and 25 °C is suitable for improving the growth and saponin concentration of balloon flower cultivated in PFALs. Ultimately, our research should be a valuable resource for future research on the production of medicinal plants such as sprouts and should provide basic information to establish methods for enhancing the growth and bioactive compounds in balloon flower.

Platycosides are the functional saponins present in balloon flowers that exert diverse biological effects, and which can be further improved by their deglycosylation. Deapiose-xylosylated platycodin D, which is absent in balloon flowers, can be generated only by cytolase PCL5 by acting on platycoside E. To improve cytolase PCL5-catalyzed production of deapiose-xylosylated platycodin D from platycoside E, we explored the use of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). At an HHP of 150 MPa, the optimal temperature of cytolase PCL5 activity for converting platycoside E into deapiose-xylosylated platycodin D shifted from 50 to 55 °C, and increased the activity and stability of the enzyme by 5- and 4.9-fold, respectively. Under HHP, the enzyme completely converted 1 mM platycoside E into deapiose-xylosylated platycodin D within 4 h, with a 3.75-fold higher productivity than that under atmospheric pressure. Our results suggest that the application of HHP is a potential method for the economical production of platycosides and enzyme-catalyzed biotransformation of functional saponins.

In this study, the grinding kinetics and the flowability of balloon flowers (BFs) with various moisture contents (8, 12, and 20%) were determined. Three semi-empirical grinding models (Bond, Kick, and Rittinger) were applied to describe the BFs’ grinding process. A lower moisture content resulted in a decreased grinding constant value (Bond’s index). Based on the kinetics of particles during grinding, a sigmoid model was developed which successfully described changes in the particle sizes of BFs with various moisture contents during the grinding process except for smaller ones (< 0.60 mm) with a high moisture content (20%). The flow function at different particle sizes was not consistently correlated with results regarding the internal friction angle. This might be due to different particle shapes and sizes of BFs. The poorest flowability was observed for BF powder with the smallest particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum) is a kind of mountain herbs whose roots have restorative properties and the cultivating acreage of balloon flower has been steadily increasing in Korea. More frequent rain and high amount of rainfalls as a result of climate changes predisposed balloon flower to the outbreaks of root rot at high-density cultivation area in recent years. Root crowns were usually discolored into brown to blackish brown at first and the infected plants showed slight wilting symptom at early infection stage. Severely infected roots were entirely rotted and whole plants eventually died at late infection stage. The overall disease severities of root rot of balloon flower were quite variable according to the surveyed fields in Jeonnam, Gyeongnam and Jeju Provinces, which ranged from 0.1% to 40%. The root rot occurred more severely at the paddy or clay soils than the sandy soils and their severities were much higher at lowland than upland in the same localty. The disease increased with aging of the balloon flower. The causal fungi were identified as Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum on the basis of their mycological characteristics. The optimum temperature ranges of their mycelial growths was found to be 24°C. The pathogenic characters of F. solani and F. oxysporum treated by artificial wounding inoculation on healthy roots of balloon flower revealed that F. solani was more virulent than F. oxysporum. This study identified the causal agents of root rot of balloon flower as Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum, probably for the first time.

Field experiments were conducted with four nitrogen fertilizer treatments to study the effects of controlled-release urea combined with conventional urea on the nitrogen uptake, root yield, and contents of protein, soluble sugar, saponin, zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) in Platycodon grandiflorum. Field experiments were conducted with four nitrogen (N) fertilizer treatments: no N fertilization; conventional urea with N rate of 175 kg N ha−1; conventional urea with N rate of 160 kg N ha−1; controlled-release urea combined with conventional urea with N rate of 160 kg N ha−1; controlled-release urea combined with conventional urea with N rate of 135 kg N ha−1. The results showed that nitrogen application significantly increased the yield of P. grandiflorum compared with the control. Treatment with controlled-release urea combined with conventional urea at 160 kg N ha−1 provided the highest yield of 7329.58 kg ha−1. Nitrogen application also increased the contents of soluble sugar, total saponin, protein, Zn, Fe, and Mg but decreased Cu content. Protein, saponin, and Zn contents were significantly higher, but Cu content was lower in P. grandiflorum fertilized with controlled-release urea combined with conventional urea than those fertilized with conventional urea alone. The combination of controlled-release urea with conventional urea at 160 kg N ha−1 was the optimal treatment under the experimental condition investigated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An effective HPLC method to analyse platycosides from the balloon flower root was developed using ELSD. The optimum resolution of the platycosides was achieved on an ODS column with gradient elution of eluent A, 30mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.81): methanol: acetonitrile=75:5:20 (v/v/v), and B, 69:5:26 (v/v/v). Amongst 18 platycosides, platycoside E showed the highest content, followed by polygalacin D2 and 3″-O-acetylplatyconic acid A. The sum of these three compounds was recommended for quality control of balloon flower root for medicinal purposes. The samples could be clustered into groups based on platycoside content. Group I, characterised by a high concentration of platycosides, was located near the west coast of Korea, whereas group II, characterised by a low concentration of platycosides, was located inland or in mountainous area. The method could be used to control the quality of balloon flower root. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Platycosides, saponins contained in balloon flower, which have been used as food health supplements for respiratory diseases, have diverse pharmacological effects. Platycosides exhibit better pharmacological activity by hydrolyzing their own sugars. However, to date, there have been no studies on the production of deglucosylated platycodin D suitable for food applications. In this study, Pluszyme 2000P, which was derived from Aspergillus niger , a food-grade microorganism, was used to completely convert platycoside E into deglucosylated platycodin D. For an efficient and economical production of deglucosylated platycodin D, the productivity was improved approximately 2.4 times by application of high hydrostatic pressure and the discarded balloon flower leaf was used as a substrate. As a result, deglucosylated platycodin D was produced with the highest concentration (3.49 mg/mL) and productivity (581.7 mg/L/h) reported so far. Our results contribute to functional saponin production and the related food industries., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In this study, the grinding kinetics and the flowability of balloon flowers (BFs) with various moisture contents (8, 12, and 20%) were determined. Three semi-empirical grinding models (Bond, Kick, and Rittinger) were applied to describe the BFs' grinding process. A lower moisture content resulted in a decreased grinding constant value (Bond's index). Based on the kinetics of particles during grinding, a sigmoid model was developed which successfully described changes in the particle sizes of BFs with various moisture contents during the grinding process except for smaller ones (< 0.60 mm) with a high moisture content (20%). The flow function at different particle sizes was not consistently correlated with results regarding the internal friction angle. This might be due to different particle shapes and sizes of BFs. The poorest flowability was observed for BF powder with the smallest particle size.

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum) is a kind of mountain herbs whose roots have restorative properties and the cultivating acreage of balloon flower has been steadily increasing in Korea. More frequent rain and high amount of rainfalls as a result of climate changes predisposed balloon flower to the outbreaks of root rot at high-density cultivation area in recent years. Root crowns were usually discolored into brown to blackish brown at first and the infected plants showed slight wilting symptom at early infection stage. Severely infected roots were entirely rotted and whole plants eventually died at late infection stage. The overall disease severities of root rot of balloon flower were quite variable according to the surveyed fields in Jeonnam, Gyeongnam and Jeju Provinces, which ranged from 0.1% to 40%. The root rot occurred more severely at the paddy or clay soils than the sandy soils and their severities were much higher at lowland than upland in the same localty. The disease increased with aging of the balloon flower. The causal fungi were identified as Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum on the basis of their mycological characteristics. The optimum temperature ranges of their mycelial growths was found to be 24°C. The pathogenic characters of F. solani and F. oxysporum treated by artificial wounding inoculation on healthy roots of balloon flower revealed that F. solani was more virulent than F. oxysporum. This study identified the causal agents of root rot of balloon flower as Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum, probably for the first time.