Salinity Stress Influences the Main Biochemical Parameters of Nepeta racemosa Lam.

Abstract

In this work, the effects of salt stress on Nepeta racemosa Lam. were studied to analyze the possibility of using it as a potential culture for salinity-affected soils. A total of nine concentrations of salts—NaCl (18, 39, and 60 mg/100 g soil), Na2SO4 (50, 85, and 120 mg/100 g soil), and a mixture (9 g NaCl + 25 g Na2SO4, 19 g NaCl + 43 g Na2SO4, and 30 g NaCl + 60 g Na2SO4/100 g soil)—simulated real salinity conditions. Environmental electron microscopy offered information about the size and distribution of glandular trichomes, which are very important structures that contain bioactive compounds. The chlorophyll pigments, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were determined based on spectrophotometric protocols. The results have shown a different impact of salinity depending on the salt type, with an increase in bioactive compound concentrations in some cases. The highest polyphenol concentrations were obtained for Na2SO4 variants (47.05 and 46.48 mg GA/g dw for the highest salt concentration in the first and second year, respectively), while the highest flavonoid content was found for the salt mixtures (42.77 and 39.89 mg QE/g dw for the highest concentrations of salt in the first and, respectively, the second year), approximately 100% higher than control. From the Pearson analysis, strong correlations were found between chlorophyll pigments (up to 0.93), antioxidant activity and yield for the first harvest (up to 0.38), and antioxidant activity and flavonoid content for the second harvest (up to 0.95). The results indicate the possibility of growing the studied plants in salt-stress soils, obtaining higher concentrations of bioactive compounds.

Investigating the dynamic responses of Aegilops tauschii Coss. to salinity, drought, and nitrogen stress: a comprehensive study of competitive growth and biochemical and molecular pathways

“…Proline content was determined using the acidic ninhydrin method. The content of MAD was assessed using the thiobarbituric acid method ( Lungoci et al., 2023 ). These measurements provided insights into the antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress levels in retort to salinity and drought stress.…”

“…At the cellular level, stress triggers metabolic toxicity, interferes with photosynthesis, generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), disrupts cell membranes, and can even induce programmed cell death ( Kang et al., 2023 ; Liu et al., 2023 ). In addition, various physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes are observed, including the development of severe necrotic lesions on leaves, reduced growth, a decrease in the number of leaves, and impaired plant reproductive capacity ( Hilário et al., 2023 ; Lungoci et al., 2023 ).…”

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Pullulan Scaffolds Loaded with Nepeta racemosa Lam. Essential Oil and Perspectives for Possible Applications

“…In particular, this concept is represented by the acclimation of new species such as Nepeta racemosa Lam. [ 17 ], testing them in different technological conditions [ 18 ], or under the influence of different abiotic factors [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], processing them to obtain products with antimicrobial activity. Plant extracts have generated substantial interest in the food industry, since there is a need to avoid the use of harmful artificial chemicals such as food preservatives.…”