Accumulation of anthocyanin and associated gene expression in radish sprouts exposed to light and methyl jasmonate.

Radish (Raphanus sativus) sprouts have received attention as an important dietary vegetable in Asian countries. The flavonoid pathway leading to anthocyanin biosynthesis in radishes is induced by multiple regulatory genes as well as various developmental and environmental factors. This study investigated anthocyanin accumulation and the transcript level of associated genes in radish sprouts exposed to light and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The anthocyanin content of sprouts exposed to light and treated with MeJA was higher than that of sprouts grown under dark conditions without MeJA, and the highest anthocyanin content was observed within 6-9 days after sowing (DAS). Transcript levels of almost all genes were increased in radish sprouts grown in light conditions with 100 μM MeJA relative to sprouts grown under dark conditions with or without MeJA treatment, especially at 3 DAS. The results suggest that light and MeJA treatment applied together during radish seedling development enhance anthocyanin accumulation.