Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Effect of light and darkness treatment on morphology, biochemical profiling, and gene expression of Siraitia grosvenorii
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Research Articles | Published: 22 June, 2026
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Keywords: Biochemical analysis, Darkness treatment, Tissue culture, Monk fruit, Scot analysis
Abstract
Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffery (Monk fruit), a nonwoody perennial vine indigenous to southern China, is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae. Due to its use in traditional medicine, beverages, and candies, it has high value in the international market. The main sweet components of this fruit are two cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides, mogrosides IV and V. In vitro propagation offers a viable alternative for establishing this valuable crop species in India. A comparative assessment of light and dark incubation conditions during shoot proliferation led to the development of a simple, efficient protocol for direct regeneration of plantlets. The effect of light and darkness was measured in the current study. The morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters were decreased significantly under dark treatments after 30 days. Moreover, expression of auxin signaling-related genes (ARF8) was higher in light-treated plants. Furthermore, genetic stability was analysed using SCoT markers, before hardening under polyhouse conditions. However, genetic fidelity was maintained with a 100% survival rate of hardened plantlets. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the physiological and biochemical pathways influenced by light quality to gain deeper insight into the mechanisms regulating monk fruit proliferation.
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Author Information
CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India