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<p>Seed germination can enhance the functional properties of plant-derived foods. However, information on changes in bioactive compounds during germination of cucurbitaceous crops remains limited. This study investigated the effects of light quality (white, blue, red, and darkness) and exogenous gibberellic acid (GA<sub>3</sub>) on seedling growth and cucurbitacin accumulation during sweet pumpkin (<i>Cucurbita maxima</i> Duch. ‘Bochang’) seed germination using independent experimental designs. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to quantify cucurbitacins B and E in different seedling organs during germination, with light conditions and GA<sub>3</sub> treatments evaluated in independent experiments. Under the optimized analytical conditions, cucurbitacins B and E exhibited strong linearity over the tested concentration range. The limit of detection for cucurbitacins B and E was 1.15 μg/mL and 0.68 μg/mL, respectively. Cucurbitacin B content in seedlings increased progressively during germination, rising from 129.40 ± 14.87 μg g<sup>−1</sup> DW dry weight (DW) at day 3 to 365.60 ± 29.35 μg g<sup>−1</sup> DW at day 7, followed by a decrease to 348.00 ± 17.32 μg g<sup>−1</sup> DW at 9 days. Cucurbitacin E was not detected in the cotyledons or hypocotyls but was exclusively present in the roots, where its concentration increased by approximately 168%, from 32.55 ± 3.64 μg g<sup>−1</sup> DW at 7 days to 54.47 ± 0.64 μg g<sup>−1</sup> DW at 9 days after germination. Cucurbitacin B content was highest under low GA₃ treatment (100 mg L<sup>−1</sup>), showing a 103% increase to 401.40 ± 13.92 μg g<sup>−1</sup> DW, whereas a higher GA₃ concentration (1000 mg L<sup>−1</sup>) reduced its level to 76% of the control (293.83 ± 10.53 μg g<sup>−1</sup> DW). Red light significantly enhanced seedling growth, increasing plant height and fresh weight by 115% and 112%, respectively, compared with dark conditions. In addition, cucurbitacin B accumulation was higher under light treatments than in darkness, with increases of 117%, 129%, and 149% observed under white, red, and blue light, respectively. These findings highlight that germination conditions, particularly light quality and GA₃ levels, can be strategically manipulated to modulate bioactive cucurbitacin profiles and improve seedling growth, offering valuable insights for functional enhancement of cucurbitaceous crops.</p>

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Organ-specific cucurbitacin accumulation and seedling growth during germination by GA3 and light quality treatments in Cucurbita maxima Duch.

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • He Mi Kang,
  • Byoung Il Je,
  • Yong Jae Lee,
  • Sun Young Park,
  • Li Ke,
  • Young Hoon Park,
  • Jum Soon Kang,
  • Young Whan Choi

摘要

Seed germination can enhance the functional properties of plant-derived foods. However, information on changes in bioactive compounds during germination of cucurbitaceous crops remains limited. This study investigated the effects of light quality (white, blue, red, and darkness) and exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) on seedling growth and cucurbitacin accumulation during sweet pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch. ‘Bochang’) seed germination using independent experimental designs. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to quantify cucurbitacins B and E in different seedling organs during germination, with light conditions and GA3 treatments evaluated in independent experiments. Under the optimized analytical conditions, cucurbitacins B and E exhibited strong linearity over the tested concentration range. The limit of detection for cucurbitacins B and E was 1.15 μg/mL and 0.68 μg/mL, respectively. Cucurbitacin B content in seedlings increased progressively during germination, rising from 129.40 ± 14.87 μg g−1 DW dry weight (DW) at day 3 to 365.60 ± 29.35 μg g−1 DW at day 7, followed by a decrease to 348.00 ± 17.32 μg g−1 DW at 9 days. Cucurbitacin E was not detected in the cotyledons or hypocotyls but was exclusively present in the roots, where its concentration increased by approximately 168%, from 32.55 ± 3.64 μg g−1 DW at 7 days to 54.47 ± 0.64 μg g−1 DW at 9 days after germination. Cucurbitacin B content was highest under low GA₃ treatment (100 mg L−1), showing a 103% increase to 401.40 ± 13.92 μg g−1 DW, whereas a higher GA₃ concentration (1000 mg L−1) reduced its level to 76% of the control (293.83 ± 10.53 μg g−1 DW). Red light significantly enhanced seedling growth, increasing plant height and fresh weight by 115% and 112%, respectively, compared with dark conditions. In addition, cucurbitacin B accumulation was higher under light treatments than in darkness, with increases of 117%, 129%, and 149% observed under white, red, and blue light, respectively. These findings highlight that germination conditions, particularly light quality and GA₃ levels, can be strategically manipulated to modulate bioactive cucurbitacin profiles and improve seedling growth, offering valuable insights for functional enhancement of cucurbitaceous crops.