Dr. Sophie L. Otterbach

Research focus: Plant secondary metabolites

Plants produce a wide array of complex metabolites that serve specialized functions such as defense against herbivores. In addition, these ‘specialized metabolites’ have a range of medicinal or industrial applications. However, some metabolites which are beneficial for the plants can be toxic to humans or animals. These compounds prevent the use of valuable food plants like lupins or quinoa. In order to unleash the potential of these plants, it is key to understand the origin of these ‘specialized metabolites’. 

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a drought and salt stress tolerant plant with high potential to become a major crop in Europe. The seeds are rich in amino acids and proteins, but also contain the anti-nutritional compound saponin. Saponins are triterpene glucosides of bitter tasting and with foaming capacities. In order to minimize these anti-nutritional compounds, it is crucial to understand the biosynthesis and regulation of saponins, as well as their source in the plant.

Otterbach S, Khoury H, Rupasinghe T, Mendis H, Kwan K, Lui V, Natera S, Klaiber I, Allen N, Jarvis DE, Tester M, Roessner U, Schmöckel SM (2021) Characterization of Epidermal Bladder Cells in Chenopodium quinoa. Authorea. May 10, 2021. DOI: 10.22541/au.162063490.09509555/v1 Submitted to J Exp Bot

Otterbach S, Wellman G, Schmöckel SM (2021). Saponins of Quinoa: Structure, Function and Opportunities, Springer Nature S. M. Schmöckel (ed.), The Quinoa Genome, Compendium of Plant Genomes, doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65237-1_8

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