Chitosan Nanoparticles’ Biphasic Impact on Salvia nemorosa: Optimizing Resilience and Secondary Metabolism

Nanotechnology offers innovative approaches to enhance crop resilience against environmental stresses. Chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) enhance plant defense mechanisms and stimulate secondary metabolite production. Salvia nemorosa, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, is sensitive to stressors impacting its growth and metabolite accumulation. This study explored the dose-dependent effects of ChNPs on S. nemorosa’s physiological and biochemical parameters, including photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and secondary metabolites. Two-month-old plants were foliar-sprayed with ChNPs (۰–۱۶۰ ppm), and their responses were assessed two weeks later. Lower doses (۱۰–۴۰ ppm, with an optimum at ۲۰ ppm) improved growth, phenolic compound accumulation, and the activities of enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), whereas higher doses (۸۰–۱۶۰ ppm) triggered oxidative stress, reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and decreased metabolite production. Antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD)—increased significantly at higher concentrations, reflecting a robust defense against oxidative damage. These findings highlight ChNPs’ dual role in stress tolerance and metabolite biosynthesis, offering insights for optimizing medicinal plant cultivation via nanotechnology. This study provides comprehensive insights into the biphasic effects of ChNPs on S. nemorosa, contributing to sustainable cultivation strategies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antioxidant Enzymes ، Chitosan nanoparticles ، Oxidative stress ، Salvia nemorosa ، Phenolic compounds