Flavonoid pathway: environmental control, gene networking and strategies and consequences of the genetic manipulation of some of the most appetizing plant molecules

The flavonoid pathway leads to the synthesis of several different metabolites with relevant repercussions on plant adaptation and reproduction but with contrasting impact on the nutritive value of food and feed. Although they generally exert positive effects on the health of consumers, both humans and animals, the nutrional impact of some of these compounds remains to be established. The relatively easiness in identifying plant mutants for the accumulation of these pigments has made the flavonoid pathway one of the first and more intensively investigated metabolic routes by plant geneticists and biochemists. Notwithstanding, the goal of modifying plant tissues for the type and the level of accumulation of health promoting bioactive molecules has been rarely achieved. The modification of some steps of the flavonoid pathway may interfere with other branches or even with other distinct pathways. In turn, the engeneering of this pathway may serve to better understand the functioning and challening of the biosynthesis of important metabolites.
This Forum Issue concerns on genetics, engeneering, environmetal control and phenotyping of flavonoids. Contributions on fundamental and applied aspects of the genetics and manipulation of these metabolites, on fine metabolomics and nutritional effects of raw plant material for food and feed are very welcome.