Metabolomic studies of plant response to environmental cues and phytochemical analysis of medicinal plants using NMR spectroscopy

Abstract

Metabolomics is the large-scale study of small molecules in cells, biofluids, tissues, newlineor organisms. These small molecules are called metabolites. The most prevalent ap- newlineproaches in the field of metabolomics are nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spec- newlinetroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). These approaches are used to investigate the newlinemetabolic profile of a living organism. NMR spectroscopy is primarily used in thera- newlinepeutics, traditional medicine, environmental monitoring, the diagnosis of human dis- newlineease, and food quality management. newlineThis thesis discusses the applications of NMR-based metabolomics analysis to pro- newlinevide a metabolic profile of phytomedicinal compounds in Momordica Charantia (Bitter newlinemelon), Phyllanthus emblica (Amla), and Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy). Various por- newlinetions of the medicinal fruits have their own unique metabolic profile of beneficial min- newlineerals, proteins, and vitamins, in addition to a wide variety of vital bioactive chemicals. newlineThe later part of the thesis focuses on the applications of NMR-based metabolomics to newlinestudy the plant metabolome. These studies include several elements of plant physiol- newlineogy, such as circadian rhythm, stress metabolism, and plants signaling. The last part newlineof the thesis highlights the importance of NMR-based metabolomics in understanding newlineseveral facets of insect physiology, including the evolution of insect immune response. newlineThe main objective is to obtain an understanding of the metabolic pathway that ulti- newlinemately result in a series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell. The contents of newlinethe chapters of the thesis are briefly described below.