Abstract
The influence of light quality and cytokinin content in media on growth, development, photosynthetic pigments and secondary metabolite content of Myrtus communis L. was evaluated in an in vitro culture. Various treatments with light emitting diodes (LEDs): 100% blue (B), a mix of 70% red and 30% blue (RB) and 100% red were applied and compared with a traditional fluorescent lamp as control. Axillary shoots were incubated on Murashige and Skoog medium with 30 g dm−3 sucrose, 0.5% BioAgar, 0.5 μM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid and different concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA): 1, 2.5 and 5 µM. Cultures were maintained for 6 weeks in 23/21 ± 1 °C (day/night), 80% relative humidity and 16/8 h photoperiod; photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was 35 µmol m−2 s−1 in all treatments. Light spectra and BA content in media affected biometrical and phytochemical M. communis properties. Red LEDs and 5 µM BA resulted in the highest multiplication rate. The highest shoots were obtained under red LEDs, but with the lowest concentration of cytokinin in media. Fresh weight was greatest on LEDs containing blue light in the spectrum (B and RB); moreover, 5 µM BA increased dry weight. Photosynthetic pigment levels were lower under LED light compared to control lamps. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified in M. communis leaf extracts. Myricetin was the major constituent with highest concentration under red LEDs and highest BA level.
Highlights
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of medicinal plants as a source of healthy raw materials (Scarpa et al 2000)
There have been no studies into the effects of light on growth, development and secondary metabolite contents of M. communis cultivated in vitro
Our study showed a lower concentration of photosynthetic pigments in M. communis cultured under light emitting diodes (LEDs) light compared to the fluorescent lamp light
Summary
There has been increasing interest in the use of medicinal plants as a source of healthy raw materials (Scarpa et al 2000). Myrtus communis L., known as true myrtle, is a perennial, evergreen shrub or small tree, typical of the Mediterranean region (Nassar et al 2010; Sumbul et al 2011; Aleksic and Knezevic 2014; Alipour et al 2014; Asgarpanah and Ariamanesh 2015; Yildirim et al 2015). It is the only species of the Myrtus genus that occurs in this region (Canhoto et al 1999). Different parts of M. communis (leaves, flowers, fruits) contain many components significant for medicine, food, liqueur and cosmetic industries, the production of this plant in large numbers is greatly needed (Amensour et al 2009; Aidi Wannes et al 2010; Romani et al 2012)
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