Foliar Application of Cu Nanoparticles Modified the Content of Bioactive Compounds in Moringa oleifera Lam

Antonio Juárez-Maldonado,Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego,Alma Hernández-Fuentes,Jesús Valdés-Reyna,José Pinedo-Espinoza,César López-Palestina,Hortensia Ortega-Ortíz

doi:10.3390/agronomy8090167

Abstract

Moringa oleifera Lam is a plant that has recently gained importance as a food because of its nutritional value and bioactive compound content and because practically all the organs are usable. The use of nanoparticles has appeared as an alternative to increase bioactive compounds in plants. The goal of this work was to determine if the application of copper nanoparticles would increase the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in M. oleifera. Copper (Cu) nanoparticles were applied to the leaves at four different times throughout crop growth. The biocompounds were analyzed after the second, third, and fourth applications. The results show that application of Cu nanoparticles has a beneficial effect on the accumulation of bioactive compounds in M. oleifera leaves. In addition, the antioxidant capacity and carotenoid and chlorophyll contents in the leaves of M. oleifera increased after Cu nanoparticles application. The same effect was not observed in the fruit of M. oleifera. Here, the bioactive compound contents diminished. Therefore, the use of Cu nanoparticles can be an important alternative to improve the quality of this plant, particularly that of the leaves.

Highlights

Moringa oleifera Lam is a plant that has recently gained importance as a food because of its nutritional value and bioactive compounds content [1]
The results show that the application of Cu NPs induced a greater accumulation of antioxidant compounds as well as increased the antioxidant capacity of the leaves of M. oleifera (Table 1)
The dose of 25 mg L−1 Cu NPs was superior to the control in terms of content of all the evaluated antioxidant compounds, as well as in terms of antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH, and ferric/antioxidant reducing power (FRAP))

Summary

Introduction

Moringa oleifera Lam is a plant that has recently gained importance as a food because of its nutritional value and bioactive compounds content [1]. Practically all organs of this plant can be used—from the root, stem, leaves, to the flowers and fruits [2]. Different applications have been reported in the agriculture, fodder, biofuels, and water treatment industries [1]. Its use in human nutrition is the most relevant, since it has considerable health benefits due to the high number of bioactive compounds (phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, carotenoids, etc.) that these plants contain [2]. Bioactive compounds contained within the different organs of the M. oleifera are well identified [1], few studies describe how to increase the content.

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Conclusion