不同小麦品种籽粒类胡萝卜素含量及关键调控基因表达分析

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-7968.2026.05.006

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Abstract Deep analysis of carotenoid contents and key gene expression patterns in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains is of great significance for breeding wheat varieties with high carotenoid content. In this study, carotenoid components in grains of 3 yellow-flour varieties (JM1, JM1803, and JM8040) and 3 white-flour varieties (JN17, JM22, and JM44) were comparatively analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Results showed a total of 7 xanthophylls, 10 xanthophyll esters and 3 carotenes were identified across the 6 varieties. 8 components, including lutein and zeaxanthin, were widely detected in all varieties. JM1, JM1803, and JM8040 contained more components, including 4 unique components such as violaxanthin, lutein dimyristate, β-carotene, and phytoene. Quantitative analysis revealed that total carotenoid content in JM1, JM1803, and JM8040 reached 9.30, 8.97, and 5.67 μg/g, respectively, significantly higher than other varieties (P<0.05). These 3 varieties also exhibited significantly higher total xanthophylls, total xanthophyll esters, total carotenoids, and most of carotenoid components. Further analysis of the expression patterns of key carotenoid biosynthesis genes (PSY1, PDS, ZDS, LCYE, and LCYB) in developing grains showed that although the expression trends of the 5 genes were consistent across varieties, expression levels of PSY1, PDS, and ZDS in JM1, JM1803, and JM8040 were significantly higher at 14 and 21 d after flowering (DAF)(P<0.05). Additionally, expression leve of LCYE in these varieties was significantly higher at 7 DAF, and expression level of LCYB was significantly elevated at 7, 14, and 28 DAF (P<0.05). Moreover, these gene expression levels exhibited an extremely significant positive correlation with contents of total carotenoid, xanthophylls, xanthophyll esters, and carotenes (P<0.01). The high expression of these key genes may contribute to the elevated carotenoid content in these 3 yellow-flour varieties. This study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding carotenoid biosynthesis pathways and breeding wheat varieties with enhanced carotenoid content.

Key words： Wheat Grains Carotenoid Key genes Expression regulation

Received: 21 November 2025

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	LI Ji-Hu
	SONG Guo-Qi
	GENG Jia-Tao
	LI Wei
	ZHANG Shu-Juan
	ZHANG Rong-Zhi
	GAO Jie
	LI Yu-Lian
	LI Gen-Ying

Cite this article:

LI Ji-Hu,SONG Guo-Qi,GENG Jia-Tao, et al. Analysis of Carotenoid Contents and Key Regulatory Genes Expression in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Grains from Different Varieties[J]. 农业生物技术学报, 2026, 34(5): 984-995.

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https://journal05.magtech.org.cn/Jwk_ny/EN/10.3969/j.issn.1674-7968.2026.05.006 OR https://journal05.magtech.org.cn/Jwk_ny/EN/Y2026/V34/I5/984

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