Enhancing Aloe Vera growth and secondary metabolite production using an alternating magnetic field

Magnetic field can be used as a physical elicitor to increase secondary metabolite in medicinal plants. In this research, the effects of alternating magnetic stress on production of flavonoids and growth parameters of Aloe vera were studied. Number of weeks, magnetic flux density, and exposure time are effective parameters that have been changed in this experiment. In order to apply alternating magnetic field, a system was designed and built, including Helm Holtz coil, auto-transformer, multi meter, and Tesla meter. Control samples were grown without magnetic field.  All samples were kept in growth chamber at a temperature of ۲۴ ± ۲° C and ۱۶-hour light, ۸-hour dark photoperiod. Factorial experiment based on RCD used to test magnetic field effects on selected traits. According to the obtained results, the magnetic field was effective on secondary metabolite production. ۳۸.۴۴ mg/g DW flavonoid was produced by with flux density of ۱.۵ mT and ۴۵ min per day exposure times for two weeks. The maximum number of leaves was observed in ۰.۵ mT and ۱۳۵ min per day exposure times. In addition, the highest plant was produced after three weeks with ۰.۵ mT. The week, exposure time and the magnetic flux density have second order interaction. It seems that the magnetic field can be both harmful and beneficial for Aloe vera that is dependent on various factors. In order to achieve the desired result, optimum field should be used.

کلیدواژه ها:

Elicitor ، Electro-culture ، Flavonoids ، Medicinal plant