Response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with EGCG biosynthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)

Abstract Background Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) imparts unique health benefits and flavour to tea. Photosynthesis plays a crucial role in modulating secondary metabolite production in plants, and this study investigated its impact on the biosynthesis of EGCG in tea plants under different ecologi...

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Main Authors: Ping Xiang, Tukhvatshin Marat, Jiaxin Huang, Bosi Cheng, Jianghong Liu, Xingjian Wang, Liangyu Wu, Meng Tan, Qiufang Zhu, Jinke Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06106-8
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author Ping Xiang
Tukhvatshin Marat
Jiaxin Huang
Bosi Cheng
Jianghong Liu
Xingjian Wang
Liangyu Wu
Meng Tan
Qiufang Zhu
Jinke Lin
author_facet Ping Xiang
Tukhvatshin Marat
Jiaxin Huang
Bosi Cheng
Jianghong Liu
Xingjian Wang
Liangyu Wu
Meng Tan
Qiufang Zhu
Jinke Lin
author_sort Ping Xiang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) imparts unique health benefits and flavour to tea. Photosynthesis plays a crucial role in modulating secondary metabolite production in plants, and this study investigated its impact on the biosynthesis of EGCG in tea plants under different ecological conditions. Results Enhanced photosynthetic activity and the increased EGCG content, total esterified catechins (TEC), total catechins (TC) responded synchronously to changes in ecological factors. The photosynthetic capacity of tea plants and the EGCG content fit surface model equations (Extreme 2D and Polynomial 2D) and multiple regression equations (R2 > 70%). Additionally, logistic regression and ROC curves revealed that photosynthetic capacity was related to EGCG accumulation patterns in response to ecological variations. Upon perceiving ecological changes, the response of photosynthesis-related genes (CspsaA from photosystem I, CspsbB, CspsbC from photosystem II, and CsLHCB3 from the antenna protein pathway) was associated to carbon cycle-related genes (CsALDO, CsACOX, CsICDH, Csrbcs), which mediated the expression of CsPAL in the phenylalanine pathway; CsaroDE in the shikimate pathway; and CsCHS, CsF3H, CsF3’H, and CsANS in the flavonoid pathway. Eventually, this influenced the accumulation of EGCG and its precursors (gallic acid and epigallocatechin) in tea plants. Conclusions This study reveals the effects of photosynthesis on EGCG biosynthesis in response to ecological factors, providing insights for optimizing tea cultivation and quality.
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spelling doaj-art-ede685a8ff064938b6a6997348b1ccda2025-08-20T02:13:02ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-02-0125111510.1186/s12870-025-06106-8Response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with EGCG biosynthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)Ping Xiang0Tukhvatshin Marat1Jiaxin Huang2Bosi Cheng3Jianghong Liu4Xingjian Wang5Liangyu Wu6Meng Tan7Qiufang Zhu8Jinke Lin9College of Life and Environmental Science, Hunan University of Arts and ScienceCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityInstitute of Photobiological Industry, Fujian Sanan Sino-Science Photobiotech Co., LtdCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityAbstract Background Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) imparts unique health benefits and flavour to tea. Photosynthesis plays a crucial role in modulating secondary metabolite production in plants, and this study investigated its impact on the biosynthesis of EGCG in tea plants under different ecological conditions. Results Enhanced photosynthetic activity and the increased EGCG content, total esterified catechins (TEC), total catechins (TC) responded synchronously to changes in ecological factors. The photosynthetic capacity of tea plants and the EGCG content fit surface model equations (Extreme 2D and Polynomial 2D) and multiple regression equations (R2 > 70%). Additionally, logistic regression and ROC curves revealed that photosynthetic capacity was related to EGCG accumulation patterns in response to ecological variations. Upon perceiving ecological changes, the response of photosynthesis-related genes (CspsaA from photosystem I, CspsbB, CspsbC from photosystem II, and CsLHCB3 from the antenna protein pathway) was associated to carbon cycle-related genes (CsALDO, CsACOX, CsICDH, Csrbcs), which mediated the expression of CsPAL in the phenylalanine pathway; CsaroDE in the shikimate pathway; and CsCHS, CsF3H, CsF3’H, and CsANS in the flavonoid pathway. Eventually, this influenced the accumulation of EGCG and its precursors (gallic acid and epigallocatechin) in tea plants. Conclusions This study reveals the effects of photosynthesis on EGCG biosynthesis in response to ecological factors, providing insights for optimizing tea cultivation and quality.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06106-8PhotosynthesisEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)CatechinEcological factorsTea plantCamellia sinensis
spellingShingle Ping Xiang
Tukhvatshin Marat
Jiaxin Huang
Bosi Cheng
Jianghong Liu
Xingjian Wang
Liangyu Wu
Meng Tan
Qiufang Zhu
Jinke Lin
Response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with EGCG biosynthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
BMC Plant Biology
Photosynthesis
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Catechin
Ecological factors
Tea plant
Camellia sinensis
title Response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with EGCG biosynthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
title_full Response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with EGCG biosynthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
title_fullStr Response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with EGCG biosynthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
title_full_unstemmed Response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with EGCG biosynthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
title_short Response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with EGCG biosynthesis of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
title_sort response of photosynthetic capacity to ecological factors and its relationship with egcg biosynthesis of tea plant camellia sinensis
topic Photosynthesis
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Catechin
Ecological factors
Tea plant
Camellia sinensis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06106-8
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