Influence of environmental conditions and seasonality on the metabolome and lipidome of Psychotria viridis leaves.
The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology July 1, 2025 Taynara Simão Matos, Camila Dias Lourenço Dos Santos, Luís Fernando Tófoli et al.
The specialized metabolite profile in Psychotria viridis leaves, a plant used in ayahuasca preparation, varies with growing conditions and seasonality. Flavonoids were the main compounds differentiating seasonal samples. Energy-related pathways—ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, and the citrate cycle—showed significant seasonal variation. Flavonoid, flavone, and flavonol biosynthesis differed between plants grown in full sunlight versus shade, suggesting a response to oxidative stress. DMT concentrations did not significantly change across conditions.