NaCl-Induced Elicitation Alters Physiology and Increases Accumulation of Phenolic Compounds in Melissa officinalis L.

Abstract

In nature, plants usually produce secondary metabolites as a defense mechanism against environmental stresses. Different stresses determine the chemical diversity of plant-specialized metabolism products. In this study, we applied an abiotic elicitor, i.e., NaCl, to enhance the biosynthesis and accumulation of phenolic secondary metabolites in Melissa officinalis L. Plants were subjected to salt stress treatment by application of NaCl solutions (0, 50, or 100 mM) to the pots. Generally, the NaCl treatments were found to inhibit the growth of plants, simultaneously enhancing the accumulation of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, soluble flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), especially at 100 mM NaCl. However, the salt stress did not disturb the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and proper functioning of the PS II photosystem. Therefore, the proposed method of elicitation represents a convenient alternative to cell suspension or hydroponic techniques as it is easier and cheaper with simple application in lemon balm pot cultivation. The improvement of lemon balm quality by NaCl elicitation can potentially increase the level of health-promoting phytochemicals and the bioactivity of low-processed herbal products.

RETRACTED: Mitigation of salinity stress in barley genotypes with variable salt tolerance by application of zinc oxide nanoparticles

“…7H 2 O (0.11 mg L –1 ), and H 3 BO 3 (2.9 mg L –1 ) ( Sallah-Ud-Din et al, 2017 ). Different NaCl levels (50 and 100 mM) were maintained in corresponding pots by dissolving the required amount of salt to provide salinity stress to plants, as suggested by many researchers in their studies ( Shams et al, 2019 ; Hawrylak-Nowak et al, 2021 ). Each treatment was replicated three times, and the experiment was designed according to a randomized complete block design.…”

Plant Responses and Tolerance to Salt Stress: Physiological and Molecular Interventions

“…Generally, the NaCl treatments were found to inhibit the growth of plants, simultaneously enhancing the accumulation of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, soluble flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), especially at 100 mM NaCl. However, the salt stress did not disturb the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and the proper functioning of the PS II photosystem [7].…”

“…On contrary, NaCl may also be used as an elicitor. Hawrylak-Nowak et al [7] applied an abiotic elicitor, i.e., NaCl, to enhance the biosynthesis and accumulation of phenolic secondary metabolites in Melissa officinalis L. Plants were subjected to salt stress treatment by the application of NaCl solutions (50 or 100 mM) to the pots. Generally, the NaCl treatments were found to inhibit the growth of plants, simultaneously enhancing the accumulation of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, soluble flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), especially at 100 mM NaCl.…”

NaCl elicitation enhances metabolite accumulation and stress resilience in Inula crithmoides L. shoot cultures: implications for its nutritional and medicinal value

“…However, when NaCl concentrations are moderate, they can promote growth, increase the accumulation of secondary metabolites, and enhance pro-health components, antioxidants, and nutritional quality (Acosta-Motos et al 2017;Chiappero et al 2021). NaCl elicitation has significantly increased the levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids in Melissa officinalis L. cultures (Hawrylak-Nowak et al 2021). It also triggers stress markers (H 2 O 2 , catalase, and peroxidase), activates phenylpropanoid enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and tyrosine ammonia-lyase), and enhances phenolic content in common bean sprouts (Ampofo and Ngadi 2021).…”