Impact of green technology on content of bioactive components in eggplant

Abstract

Background: Green manure fertilizers play a great role in increasing fertility, soil quality and nutrient supply of crops. Additionally, biofertilizers with various strains of fungi increase the availability of biologically active elements for plants. The combined use of green manure and biological fertilizers is of great interest for increasing the content of bioactive components and the functional activity of food.Objective: The main goal of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined use of various green manure plants and biological fertilizers on the content of bioactive components (total sugars, dry matter, ascorbic acid, B vitamins and macro and micronutrients) in eggplants in the context of increasing food functionality. Methods: Plants from the Fabaceae L. family (beans, peas, and soybeans) were used as green manure. The experiment was set up by a block-randomized method in 4 replications. Biofertilizers were applied at the beginning of intensive growth and at the beginning of the fruiting stage. Soil analysis and content of macro- and micronutrients (Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate, and Iron) in eggplant fruits were done with a spectrophotometry system. Results: Green manure crops and their combination with biofertilizers contributed to an increase in content of vitamin C, Vitamin B1, macro-micronutrients (calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and Iron) in all treatment options. The higher yield was recorded in variants with the use of Organit N’ and ‘Organit P’.Conclusion: The concurrent application of green manure and biofertilizers leads to an enhancement of the functional properties of eggplant fruits. This improvement is attributed to the enhanced soil quality and increased levels of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including vitamins C and B1.The positive effect of the applied technology on the eggplant fruits’ qualitative particularities, productivity and functionality creates a basis for recommending the use of tested fertilizers to producers and will serve as a starting point for evaluating the proposed green technology on other crops.Keywords: soya, bean, pea, vitamin C, vitamin B 1