Metabolic Plasticity and Terpenoid Modulation in Zanthoxylum armatum Callus Cultures: Chemical Composition and Biotechnological Perspectives

Abstract

This study provides the systematic evaluation of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), yeast extract (YE) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as elicitors for essential oil biosynthesis in Zanthoxylum armatum callus cultures. Thirteen elicitation treatments revealed pronounced quantitative and qualitative metabolic plasticity. Across treatments, total identified compounds ranged from 91.3% to 97.5%, confirming high analytical coverage. Monoterpene hydrocarbons represented 17.4%–61.4% of the oils, while oxygenated monoterpenes ranged from 14.1% to 69.1%, demonstrating strong elicitor- and concentration-dependent shifts, indicating differential activation of terpenoid biosynthetic pathways. Linalool, a key bioactive constituent, varied substantially (10.4%–45.5%), aligning with previously reported natural oils. Limonene also showed high abundance (10.3%–21.3%), and β-phellandrene peaked at 37.6% in one treatment. Notably, treatment T4 generated the most oxygenated monoterpene–rich profile (69.1%), whereas T6, T11, and T12 produced hydrocarbon-dominant profiles (59%–61%), demonstrating elicitor-driven chemotype-like modulation in vitro. These findings highlight the metabolic flexibility of Z. armatum callus tissues and establish elicitation as a controllable biotechnological strategy for tailoring terpenoid profiles and producing high-value aroma compounds independent of environmental variability. This study is the first to demonstrate elicitor-induced chemotype-like modulation of essential oil composition in Zanthoxylum armatum callus cultures. By integrating biotic and abiotic elicitors (MeJA, yeast extract and AgNPs), we reveal pronounced metabolic plasticity and controllable shifts between monoterpene hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpene dominant profiles. The findings establish callus elicitation as a precision biotechnological platform for tailoring terpenoid biosynthesis and producing high-value aroma compounds independent of environmental constraints. These findings reinforce callus culture as a valuable system for controlled production of essential oil constituents and for advancing biotechnological strategies targeting specific chemotypes.