(1) Background: Natural pigments and bioactive compounds have attracted increasing interest as sustainable alternatives to synthetic colorants in food and industrial applications. This study evaluated the effects of foliar-applied thiamin (vitamin B1) on the physiological, growth, and biochemical responses of Celosia argentea L. var. cristata. (2) Methods: Plants are exposed to different concentrations of thiamin (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L−1) and cultivated under protected conditions, in a semi-hydroponic system. (3) Results: Increases of 17.53% in CO2 assimilation rate, 34.0% in carboxylation efficiency, 15.06% in flower fresh weight, and 14.63% in flower dry weight were observed under lower concentrations (50–100 mg L−1). In contrast, higher concentrations (150–200 mg L−1) stimulated the accumulation of flavonoid content, increased by 9.93%. At 200 mg L−1, betacyanin, betaxanthin, and total betalain contents increased by 22.04%, 25.97%, and 23.55%, respectively. (4) Conclusions: Thiamin application induces concentration-dependent responses in Celosia argentea L. Concentrations up to 100 mg L−1 enhance flower production and biomass accumulation, while higher doses stimulate the accumulation of bioactive compounds, antioxidant metabolites, and betalains in flowers. These effects highlight thiamin’s potential to improve ornamental quality and support natural colorant production for food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and textile applications.
E. P. Vendruscolo, G. R. Sant'Ana, Flávio Ferreira da Silva Binotti et al.· Agrochemicals· 0 citations
Background Basil is a high-value aromatic and medicinal plant widely recognized for its rich composition of bioactive compounds with applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological responses, growth, and production of bioactive compounds in baby leaf basil cultivated in a hydroponic system supplemented with B-complex vitamins. Methods The experiment was conducted under a controlled environment using a randomized block design with four treatments: control, nicotinamide, thiamine, and pyridoxine. Plants were assessed 14 days after sowing for gas exchange parameters, biometric traits, biomass accumulation, leaf pigments, and bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, antioxidant activity, and sun protection factor. Results Vitamin supplementation reduced intercellular CO2 concentration and significantly increased CO2 assimilation rate, water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency. Nicotinamide notably enhanced plant growth, increasing leaf area (78%) and plant height (34.8%), as well as shoot fresh and dry mass (49.7 and 77.9%). Bioactive compound accumulation was also stimulated, with increases of up to 129.1% in phenolics and 159.2% in antioxidant activity, with nicotinamide being superior to the other treatments in all nutraceutical characteristics. Additionally, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were elevated, especially under nicotinamide treatment, which also reduced leaf temperature. Pyridoxine showed intermediate effects, while thiamine presented modest improvements compared to the control. Conclusion Hydroponic supplementation with B vitamins, particularly nicotinamide, enhances physiological performance, biomass production, and the accumulation of bioactive compounds in basil.
G. R. Sant'Ana, Alana Vanessa Chagas da Rocha, Flávio Ferreira da Silva Binotti et al.· Frontiers in Nutrition· 0 citations
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