The Sesquiterpene Lactones Production Optimization As the Seeding Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) Breeding Prospective Goal
Sesquiterpene lactones are one group of substances observed in seeding lettuce (Lactuca sativa) are added a bitter taste. Lettuce breeding was aimed in particular to decrease sesquiterpene lactone content in new varieties of previous years. Recently, beneficial pharmacological activities of these substances were found. The purpose of this mini review was analysis of current knowledge about lettuce sesquiterpene lactone biological activities and lettuce breeding perspectives. Lactucin, lactucopicrin and 8-deoxylactucin are main lactoines in seeding lettuce. Their exact biosynthesis mechanism in lettuce is not clear, only the stages of precursor compounds synthesis were established. Lactucin and similar lactones have multiple pharmacological activities including antitumor, antiinflammatory, analgesic, sedative and antiparasitic effects. The use of the sesquiterpene lactones quantitative content as biochemical markers has certain significant disadvantages. Possible approaches to the development of a new generation of molecular markers suitable for use in breeding are considered.