Abstract
Encapsulated bioactive agents applied to the Lactuca sativa L. present an innovative approach to stimulate the production of plant secondary metabolites increasing its nutritive value. Calcium and copper ions were encapsulated in biopolymeric microparticles (microspheres and microcapsules) either as single agents or in combination with biocontrol agents, Trichoderma viride spores, a fungal plant growth mediator. Both, calcium and copper ions are directly involved in the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites and alongside, Trichoderma viride can provide indirect stimulation and higher uptake of nutrients. All treatments with microparticles had a positive effect on the enhancement of plant secondary metabolites content in Lactuca sativa L. The highest increase of chlorophylls, antioxidant activity and phenolic was obtained by calcium-based microparticles in both, conventionally and hydroponically grown lettuces. Non-encapsulated fungus Trichoderma viride enhanced the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites only in hydroponics cultivation signifying the importance of its encapsulation. Encapsulation proved to be simple, sustainable and environmentally favorable for the production of lettuce with increased nutritional quality, which is lettuce fortified with important bioactive compounds.
Highlights
Plant secondary metabolites (PSM) are natural sources of biologically active compounds used for a healthy diet, in traditional medicine and in a wide range of industrial applications[1]
With regards to the morphological parameters there were no statistically significant differences found after the treatment with microparticles or T. viride spores suspended in saline solution when compared to the control or the treatments according to the posthoc Tukey HSD test
Even though somewhat lower percentage of water content was observed in the samples cultivated in hydroponics compared to the conventional, the results are in accordance with the literature where about 93% of water content was found in Batavia species[41]
Summary
Plant secondary metabolites (PSM) are natural sources of biologically active compounds used for a healthy diet, in traditional medicine and in a wide range of industrial applications[1]. With regards to the morphological parameters (total head weight, diameter, height and marketable yield) there were no statistically significant differences found after the treatment with microparticles or T. viride spores suspended in saline solution when compared to the control or the treatments according to the posthoc Tukey HSD test.
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