Growth, Leaf Pigment Content, and Antioxidant Potential of Ferns Grown in Peat Substrate Amended with Camelina Press Cake

Abstract

Using natural waste as a source of minerals and biostimulants can offer many advantages in the production of plants in containers. The research aimed to evaluate the usefulness of cakes obtained from the production of camelina seed oil (Camelina sativa) in the cultivation of ferns. The greenhouse experiment used ornamental ferns rich in health-promoting compounds: Onoclea sensibilis, Polypodium vulgare, and Polystichum polyblepharum. Plants were planted in pots filled with peat substrate mixed with camelina press cake in the form of pellets at a dose of 1 g/L or 5 g/L. Plants grown in 100% peat substrate constituted the control. It was found that the plants grown in the medium enriched with press cake were higher (P. vulgare and P. polyblepharum), wider (O. sensibilis and P. polyblepharum), and had increased dry weight (O. sensibilis and P. polyblepharum) regardless of the dose of the cake. Moreover, in all species, the addition of press cake significantly increased total chlorophyll content by 23.5–32.5% and carotenoids by 17.7–68.7% compared to the control. The effect of cake on the level of total polyphenols and flavonoids as well as antioxidant activity was unequal and depended mainly on the species and the waste dose. Overall, developing sustainable fern cultivation principles and understanding their nutritional properties could contribute to the broader use of ferns in green spaces, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Organogenesis and Antioxidant Capacity of Streptocarpus ×hybridus In Vitro under Different LED Light Spectrum Composition

“…The determination of the reduction of iron ions to ions of a lower oxidation state (FRAP) by the antioxidant was measured based on the methodology described previously [29]. FRAP reagent was prepared by mixing 2.5 mL of TPTZ (2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine) in 40 mM HCl, 2.5 mL FeCl 3 , and 25 mL of acetate buffer pH = 3.6 (300 mM).…”

Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro and In Silico Biological Studies from Ferns of Genus Blechnum (Blechnaceae, Polypodiales)

“…Ferns and related plants are a widely distributed plant group and several species are used in traditional medicine for respiratory and intestinal diseases, among others [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Studies in recent years report in this group a diversity of compounds such as alkaloids, diterpenes, triterpenes, flavonoids, polyphenols and steroids that represent a potential bioactivity, especially in species of the families Huperziaceae, Blechnaceae, Pteridaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Polypodiaceae, Aspleniaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Dicksoniaceae, Davalliaceae and others [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Ferns of the genus Blechnum L. are widely distributed worldwide and are a promising source of bioactive compounds (phenolic acids, lignans, flavonols, flavones, anthocyanidins, sesquiterpene, diterpenes, sterols, fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes, carotenoids and heterocyclic) with antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”