Bioactive compounds and growth performance of endemic medicinal plants (Cuphea spp.) cultured in aquaponic system

Abstract

Aquaculture wastewaters are associated with modifying the phytochemical profile in plants when watered with them, thus, aquaponics is a way to improve medicinal plants' quality. This study aimed to analyse the effect caused by a small-scale aquaponic system integrated with Koi carp in the growth performance and modification of bioactive compounds in Cuphea hyssopifolia and Cuphea cyanea. The results showed the aquaponic system design is suitable for keeping Cuphea spp. in a greenhouse or indoor conditions. No statistically significant differences were found in the growth performance in both Cuphea spp. The results for C. hyssopifolia in aquaponic showed that approximately 76% of phenols and more than half of the flavonoids remained in the dry basis of the plant cultivated in aquaponics compared to conventional culture. The apigenin content increased by > 60% (1.63 mg g-1). The results for C. cyanea in aquaponic showed that the phenolic content remained above, and the flavonoids decreased by 53%. The apigenin content decreased by 40% (0.89 mg g-1). The outcomes indicate that aquaponics can promote biostimulation of medicinal plants and increase their bioactive compounds, however, this effect does not occur in the same way between species.