Aug 2026· Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture· Vol 166· 0 citations· 48 references
TL;DR
It is demonstrated that agitated shoot cultures represent a promising sustainable source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications and biotic elicitation with lichen-derived compounds effectively enhances the production of valuable phenolic metabolites in L. flos-cuculi in vitro cultures.
Abstract
Lychnis flos-cuculi L. is a plant species valued for its rich content of phenolic compounds and traditional therapeutic applications; however, the decline of natural populations necessitates the development of alternative biomass sources. The present study investigated the effect of biotic elicitation with Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. thallus extract and usnic acid on phenolic compound accumulation in in vitro shoot cultures of L. flos-cuculi. Shoots were cultivated in liquid Murashige and Skoog medium under shake-flask conditions and treated with E. prunastri thallus extract (1 mg/mL–3 mg/mL) or (+)-usnic acid previously isolated from E. prunastri (6.25–25 µM) for 24, 72, 144, and 192 h. The concentrations of selected phenolic acids and flavonoids were determined by HPLC-DAD. The elicitation treatments did not adversely affect shoot morphology or physiological status; however, biomass growth generally decreased with increasing elicitor concentration and exposure time. Four phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and protocatechuic acids) and three flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, and vitexin) were identified in the shoot biomass. The highest phenolic acid accumulation following elicitation with E. prunastri thallus extract was confirmed after 192 h at 3 mg/mL, particularly for p-coumaric acid (14.21 mg/100 g DW). Usnic acid proved to be an effective elicitor of flavonoid biosynthesis, resulting in the highest apigenin content (17.81 mg/100 g DW) after 192 h treatment with 25 µM usnic acid. The results demonstrate that biotic elicitation with lichen-derived compounds effectively enhances the production of valuable phenolic metabolites in L. flos-cuculi in vitro cultures. Therefore, agitated shoot cultures represent a promising sustainable source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. Biotic elicitation with Evernia prunastri extract and usnic acid enhanced the accumulation of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Lychnis flos-cuculi in vitro shoot cultures.
This study assessed the effects of aqueous extracts from turmeric (Curcuma longa), mint (Mentha sp.), grape peel (Vitis sp.), and mango peel (Mangifera indica) on the growth and total carotenoid content of the microalga Dunaliella salina. A two-stage cultivation strategy was employed, in which aqueous extracts prepared by decoction were added at 0.5% (v/v) either at the inoculation or after the exponential growth phase. Microalgal growth was monitored by direct cell counting, and total carotenoid content was determined spectrophotometrically in the harvested biomass. The chemical profiles of the extracts were characterised by HPLC-MS/MS, enabling the annotation of key phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Specific orange turmeric and mint formulations enhanced microalgal cell proliferation by up to 31.88% and 28.95%, respectively, compared to the control. However, despite the higher biomass, the total carotenoid content did not increase correspondingly; orange turmeric extract even led to reductions of 90.84 to 92.86% in carotenoid content. These findings suggest that exogenous antioxidants may suppress the oxidative stress signals required to trigger carotenoid biosynthesis in D. salina. Additionally, grape peel extracts prepared at higher temperatures promoted better algal growth than those obtained at lower temperatures. These findings highlight the dual role of plant extracts in modulating microalgal growth and secondary metabolism, demonstrating that antioxidant-rich extracts may be used to enhance biomass accumulation before the subsequent induction of stress-mediated carotenogenesis, thereby potentially improving biotechnological yields.
É. E. Santo, Ana Carolini Fernandes Mota, Rafael Boffo et al.· Fermentation· 0 citations
The results demonstrate that the combined application of S. wightii extract and PGPR can effectively enhance tomato productivity while reducing fertiliser usage by 25 %, and offers a sustainable approach to improving crop performance and reducing chemical fertiliser dependence.
K. Oviya, J. Jaipriyanka, S. Mahalakshmi et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
The accelerating resistance of Spodoptera exigua to synthetic insecticides demands the development of eco-friendly botanical alternatives. Plant tissue culture provides a controlled means to enhance the biosynthesis of defense metabolites. This study explored how in vitro micropropagation can enhance the polyphenolic profile and insecticidal efficacy of Opuntia ficus-indica cladode ethanolic extracts. These extracts, cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium without (Op1) or with plant growth regulators (Op2), were compared with greenhouse-grown (Op3) extracts for activity against second- and fourth-instar S. exigua larvae. Phytochemical analyses revealed differences among the extracts. The Op2 extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (61.1 mg GAE g−1) and flavonoid content (131.95 mg QE g−1). HPLC profiling revealed that Op2 had higher levels of gallic acid (26.94 µg mg−1) and kaempferol (17.26 µg mg−1), whereas the greenhouse-grown extract was dominated by catechin and gallic acid. Bioassays showed that Op2 was the most toxic, with LC50 values of 4.87 and 2.70 mg mL−1 for the second and fourth instars, respectively. Biochemical assays revealed metabolic disruption, indicated by a significant elevation in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (up to 5.20-fold) and a suppression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (up to 82.18%). Histopathological examination confirmed severe damage to the integument and midgut tissues. Molecular docking analysis indicated that kaempferol exhibited the highest binding affinity for LDH and GPx (− 6.32 and − 6.72 kcal mol−1, respectively), while ferulic acid showed strong binding (− 6.12 and − 6.15 kcal mol−1, respectively). These findings identify tissue culture-enhanced O. ficus-indica as a promising biopesticide for pest management.
Enayat M. Elqady, Eman El-said, M. Moustafa et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
Plant-derived bioactive compounds are increasingly sought after, while the availability of medicinal plant materials remains limited. Piper sarmentosum Roxb. is known as a source of phenolic compounds and flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In vitro callus cultivation combined with elicitation is a practical strategy to enhance biomass and metabolite production. This study examined the effect of yeast extract at different concentrations on callus growth, secondary metabolite accumulation, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of P. sarmentosum. Callus was cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium enriched with 2.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BAP), then subcultured on MS medium containing 1.5 mg/L 2,4-D, 1.5 mg/L BAP and yeast extract concentrations of 0–2.0 mg/L. Biomass accumulation was evaluated as fresh and dry weights. Methanol extracts were analysed for total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (DPPH) and anti-inflammatory activity (protein denaturation inhibition). Yeast extract affected both growth and the metabolite profile. The highest biomass was obtained at 1.0 mg/L yeast extract, while higher concentrations promoted flavonoid accumulation and anti-inflammatory activity. These findings suggest that yeast elicitation can be optimised to enhance biomass production and the biological activity of P. sarmentosum callus cultures.
Winery residues generated by the wine industry represent an important sustainability challenge but also a valuable resource for producing vermicompost-derived products with potential agricultural applications through vermicomposting. This study evaluated the effects of aqueous vermicompost extracts produced from winery residues on the early in vitro development and physiological performance of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings. Seedlings were cultivated on peat-based pellets (Jiffy-7®) under controlled conditions and treated with two extract concentrations (10% and 20%, w/v) or distilled water (control). After 30 days, morphological traits (shoot height, leaf number and biomass) and biochemical parameters (photosynthetic pigments and total phenolics) were assessed. Both species showed high survival rates (>85%) and no phytotoxic symptoms. Compared with the control, VE20% increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents in garden cress by 40.3%, 35.9%, and 38.9%, respectively, whereas VE10% increased chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents in cucumber by 15.7%, 11.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. Total phenolic content did not differ significantly among treatments in either species (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that vermicompost extracts produced from winery residues exhibited low phytotoxic potential under the experimental conditions tested and influenced photosynthetic pigment accumulation without adversely affecting seedling growth. These responses warrant further investigation under ex vitro and field conditions to determine whether the observed physiological changes translate into relevant agronomic effects.
Dendrobium spectabile (Blume) Miq. is an ornamental orchid with high aesthetic and commercial value; however, its natural populations continue to decline due to habitat destruction and excessive exploitation. In vitro propagation offers an effective strategy for the large-scale production and conservation of this species. Natural plant growth regulators (PGRs), such as Aloe vera extract, have attracted increasing attention as environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives to synthetic PGRs because they contain naturally occurring auxins, cytokinins, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals that promote plant growth. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of Aloe vera extract on the in vitro regeneration and growth of D. spectabile plantlets. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 g L⁻¹ of Aloe vera extract) was applied using Vacin and Went (VW) medium, with five replications per treatment. Plantlet survival, height, root length, number of leaves, shoots, roots, and fresh weight were evaluated 15 days after inoculation. Quantitative data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test at the 5% significance level. All treatments maintained a 100% plantlet survival rate throughout the experimental period. The addition of Aloe vera extract significantly affected all growth parameters, with the 45 g L⁻¹ treatment producing the greatest plantlet height (3.26 ± 0.26 cm), root length (1.58 ± 0.09 cm), number of leaves (4.00 ± 0.45), number of shoots (4.80 ± 0.58), number of roots (3.60 ± 0.51), and fresh weight (0.132 ± 0.009 g). These findings demonstrate that Aloe vera extract can serve as an effective natural plant growth regulator for the in vitro propagation of D. spectabile, with 45 g L⁻¹ identified as the optimum concentration for promoting plantlet regeneration and vegetative growth.
Anggi Adelia Naibaho, Endang Nurcahyani, W. Sri et al.· International Journal of Sci...· 0 citations
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