Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) biosynthesis in Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan leaves

Abstract

The most common sunscreen components used by people are harmful to marine life where they cause oxidative stress and impair the metabolism of marine organisms. Thus, it is relevant to select plant species for compound replacement that phytosynthesize natural biodegradable molecules with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) at high concentration. In this scenario, Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan (cebil) possesses SPF due to the biosynthesis of foliar phenolics, making it essential to enhance the production of these compounds. The inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance the concentration of metabolites in A. colubrina. However, it is not known if mycorrhization affects the SPF composition of plant species. In this context, this research aimed to define the potential of the mycorrhizal technology to increase the in vitro SPF and the production of bioactive antioxidant compounds in A. colubrina leaves. For this, an entirely randomized experiment was set up, with three inoculation treatments (control – non-inoculated, Acaulospora longula Spain & N.C. Schenck and Gigaspora albida N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) in 7 replicates. After 126 days, the leaves were harvested and used for SPF, antioxidant activity, and to evaluate the phenolic compounds. The mycorrhization modulated the production of phenolic compounds. It also enhanced the SPF and antioxidant activity of A. colubrina extracts with increments higher than 500% in seedlings forming mycorrhiza with A. longula. Thus, it is concluded that mycorrhization positively modulates the production of antioxidant phenolics and the in vitro SPF of A. colubrina foliar extracts, thereby constituting a low cost biotechnology to be implemented in the chain production of plant-based sunscreens.