Natural deep eutectic solvents in plants and plant cells: In vitro evidence for their possible functions

The components of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are abundant in plants. This led to our hypothesis that NADES may play an important role solubilizing, storing, and transporting poorly water-soluble metabolites living cells, adjusting the water content plants, protecting cells when harsh conditions. In order test these hypothetical roles, diverse plant materials were analyzed, including leaves, petals, secretions seeds. Comparatively high amounts ingredients observed those organs. particular, resurrection plants dry state contain a higher amount than fresh ones, level is specifically outside layer (aleurone seed cover) barley, inside (endosperm embryo) layer. A accumulation sugars, sugar alcohols, amines, amino acids, organic acids dominate such as sap nectar, often typical molar ratios NADES. strongly supports existence For experimentally, mixed resulting liquids with different compositions properties. case co-exist form ideal for polarities macromolecules. Some hygroscopic, providing evidence possible controlling effects Most importantly, accumulate around lipid bilayers, intermolecular bonds polar heads lipids, stabilize membrane, revealed experiments liposomes. study gives vitro roles organisms, opens perspectives further exploring functions cells. omics allows now identify all molecules organism or even cell. challenge future research will be understand how there interact dynamic cellular processes their compartmentation on nanoscale. other words unravel molecular interactions three dimensions space one time, which require true multidisciplinary collaboration.