Light spectral quality-driven guggulsterone production and antioxidant profiling in Commiphora wightii (Arnott.) Bhandari callus cultures using LC-MS

• Developed an elicitation strategy to enhance bioactive compound production • UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS method was validated for estimation of Guggulsterone • White light boosted the production of Guggulsterone-E and Guggulsterone-Z • Blue light boosted phenolic compound production and antioxidant activity • Dark and red light increased the production of ascorbic acid and anthocyanin Commiphora wightii (Burseraceae), an endangered medicinal plant, is appreciated for its diverse biological activities linked to its secondary metabolites. This study explored how light quality influences the production of secondary metabolites, growth, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (DFRSA) in C. wightii callus cultures. The continuous white light significantly increased dry weight (0.371 ± 0.001 g/50 mL DW) on day 15 and enhanced guggulsterone-E (126.12 ± 0.86 µg/g DW) and guggulsterone-Z (137.23 ± 0.31 µg/g DW) on day 20, as compared to other light treatments ( p ≤ 0.001). Blue light significantly elevated phenolic (TPC: 134.09 ± 1.37 µg CHA/mg DW) and flavonoid (TFC: 189.91 ± 4.93 µg RE/mg DW) content, alongside DFRSA (78.71 ± 0.95%) on day 30 ( p ≤ 0.001). Dark and red light treatments notably increased ascorbic acid (AAC: 34.69 ± 3.24 µg/mg DW) and anthocyanin content (TAC: 104.73 ± 3.33 µg CE/mg DW), respectively, on day 30 (p ≤ 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed significant links between TPC, TFC, DFRSA, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the remarkable potential of light quality manipulation to significantly enhance growth and the production of high-value secondary metabolites in C. wightii callus cultures. Unlike previous studies, which primarily focused on conventional elicitors or growth regulators, this work introduces a novel approach by utilizing specific light treatments to optimize bioactive compound yield. This innovative strategy not only advances current methodologies but also holds promise for scalable applications in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries