Effects of Beech Bark Extract in the Sage (Salvia Officinalis L.) Plant Growth and Volatile Oil Profile

Abstract

The use of bioactive compounds can act in growth stimulation and also influence the biosynthesis of the metabolites in plants. The aim of this paper is to assess the influence of the beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) bark crude extract (BBCE) on the growth and development of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) plants. Special attention was given to the analysis of volatile oil obtained from the sage treated plant. Thus, the biological activity of BBCE was assessed by determining the germination capacity, biomass accumulation, histo-anatomical aspects, and photoassimilatory pigment accumulation, quantitative, and qualitative sage volatile oil analysis. The results show stimulation of the biomass and photoassimilatory pigment accumulation. The mesophyll thickness and the vascular tissue surface are smaller in the treated variants, compared to the control. On the other hand, the amount of volatile oil was significantly higher in the treated plants. In the experimental variants, an increase in the quantity of eucalyptol, camphor, camphene, and α-caryophyllene is observed. The amount of eucalyptol increased in the experimental variant, with about 82%, compared to the control. BBCE could be properly used as natural bioregulators because according to our results seems to improve the yield of the sage crop. The results of this research have the potential to contribute greatly to ecological agricultural production.

Biochemical and Histo-Anatomical Responses of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. to Spruce and Beech Bark Extracts Application

“…The obtained results show the rich effect of the beech bark extract on the germination process. The stimulatory effect of beech bark extract on sage germination and biomass production was observed previously [ 10 ]. The results suggest possible enzymatic changes induced by BBE1000, influencing the lavender seeds germination capacity [ 19 ].…”

“…In our previous research, we have shown that bark extracts act as bioregulators in sage crops, influencing the production of secondary metabolites [ 10 ]. Plant polyphenols have been reported to act as stimulators in metabolic processes in plants, with positive effects on the final product quality.…”

“…The separation of volatile compounds on the ZB-5ms capillary column was performed using the method described by Tanase et al, 2020 [ 10 ]. The column temperature program started from 50 °C (held for 2 min) and increased to 160 °C with a rate of 4°/min and then to 250 °C with a 15°/min rate and held at 250 °C for 10 min.…”

“…The bark (20% of the dry weight of woody vascular plants) contains lignin, polysaccharides, suberin, phenolic compounds [ 9 ]. The spruce ( Picea abies L.) and beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) are some of the most widespread woody vascular plants in Europe and particularly in Romania, with a high economic value [ 10 ]. Spruce and beech wood is mostly used in the wood processing industry or for fire wood.…”

“…Thus, spruce and beech bark are considered a waste product in the wood industry [ 11 ]. Our previous results have shown that beech and spruce bark crude extract has antimicrobial, antitumoral and bioregulator effect in sage plants [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Due to their high polyphenolic content, their utilization as biostimulants could have an important ecological impact, and this process could be further exploited in the production of organic essential oils.…”