Enhanced Production of Active Photosynthetic and Biochemical Molecules in Silybum marianum L. Using Biotic and Abiotic Elicitors in Hydroponic Culture

Abstract

Elicitors are stressors that activate secondary pathways that lead to the increased production of bioactive molecules in plants. Different elicitors including the fungus Aspergillus niger (0.2 g/L), methyl jasmonate (MeJA, 100 µM/L), and silver nanoparticles (1 µg/L) were added, individually and in combination, in a hydroponic medium. The application of these elicitors in hydroponic culture significantly increased the concentration of photosynthetic pigments and total phenolic contents. The treatment with MeJA (methyl jasmonate) (100 µM/L) and the co-treatment of MeJA and AgNPs (silver nanoparticles) (100 µM/L + 1 µg/L) exhibited the highest chlorophyll a (29 µg g−1 FW) and chlorophyll b (33.6 µg g−1 FW) contents, respectively. The elicitor MeJA (100 µM/L) gave a substantial rise in chlorophyll a and b and total chlorophyll contents. Likewise, a significant rise in carotenoid contents (9 µg/g FW) was also observed when subjected to meJA (100 µM/L). For the phenolic content, the treatment with meJA (100 µM/L) proved to be very effective. Nevertheless, the highest production (431 µg/g FW) was observed when treated with AgNPs (1 µg/L). The treatments with various elicitors in this study had a significant effect on flavonoid and lignin content. The highest concentration of flavonoids and lignin was observed when MeJA (100 mM) was used as an elicitor, following a 72-h treatment period. Hence, for different plant metabolites, the treatment with meJA (100 µM/L) and a co-treatment of MeJA and AgNPs (100 µM/L + 1 µg/L) under prolonged exposure times of 120–144 h proved to be the most promising in the accretion of valuable bioactive molecules. The study opens new insights into the use of these elicitors, individually or in combination, by using different concentrations and compositions.

Antioxidant Responses and Phytochemical Accumulation in Raphanus Species Sprouts through Elicitors and Predictive Models under High Temperature Stress

“…[ 63 ] showed improvements in phenolic contents in grapes through methyl jasmonate application. Additionally, other authors found that the elicitation of different plants with methyl jasmonate and/or ethephon led to changes in secondary metabolites [ 64 , 65 ]. This research indicates that the application of elicitors like methyl jasmonate, in combination with other compounds, can effectively enhance the accumulation of bioactive compounds in plants, regardless of their maturity stage.…”

Cultivating a greener future: Exploiting trichoderma derived secondary metabolites for fusarium wilt management in peas

“…The supernatant was collected (0.1 mL) and mixed with the suitable reagent. Using the standard curve of bovine serum albumin, the total protein content was calculated at 650 nm [ 31 , 32 ].…”

“…After 5 min, 0.3 mL of AlCl3 (10%) and 0.2 mL of NaOH (1 mol L −1 ) were added to the abovementioned solution, and the final volume was increased to 10 mL by adding additional distilled water. The absorbance was measured at 510 nm against a blank using a spectrophotometer to determine the flavonoids [ 32 , 33 ].…”