Effect Of Elicitors Research Articles

Preharvest Applications of Chitosan, Salicylic Acid, and Calcium Chloride Have a Synergistic Effect on Quality and Storability of Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

The ‘Khenizi’ date palm is one of the most recognized date palm cultivars. It is commonly consumed at the Bisr, Rutab, and Tamr stages of ripening; however, the fruit has a short shelf/storage life at this stage of maturity even with refrigeration. Preharvest application of a natural elicitor chitosan (Ch) has been reported to have positive influences on quality and shelf life of many fruits; however, synergetic effects of Chand other natural elicitors have not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of preharvest spray treatments with Ch 1% in combination with calcium chloride (Ca) 3% and salicylic acid (SA) 2 mm on ‘Khenizi’ date fruit quality and storage life. Fruit quality parameters, including physical and physiochemical characteristics, phytochemical content, and bioactive properties, were determined at harvest time and during cold storage at 2 °C for 60 days for 2 months. Our results revealed that a combination of these elicitors had significantly influenced the fruit quality during storage compared with control. For instance, Ch+SA and Ch+Ca+SA treatments improved total phenolic content (TPC), and the antioxidant activity at harvest and at specific times during the postharvest storage period. Furthermore, Ch+SA+Ca treatment significantly delayed senescence in treated fruits during cold storage for 45 days as compared with other treatments and the control. In addition, Ch+Ca-treated fruits had the lowest weight loss after 45 days of cold storage. Ch+SA treatment had the lowest microbial counts as compared with other treatments, including the control. The significance of this study is that it provides evidence that a combination of these elicitors has the potential to improve fruit quality at harvest, as well as during postharvest storage Future studies should be directed to fine tune the concentrations and combinations that may have commercial applications.

Potential‎ of plant extracts and ‎their elicitor effect on the red sweet pepper ‎‎(Capsicum annuum L.) defence system against Tetranychus urticae (Acari: ‎Tetranychidae) infestation under greenhouse conditions

ABSTRACT We investigated the potential of plant extracts (PEs) of Costus speciosus (CS REAq), Tagetes patula (TP LEEtOH70%), and Helichrysum bracteatum (HB LEEtOH70%) against active stages of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) infesting red sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) and on associated mite predators, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Scolothrips longicornis, under greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, the effect of elicitor PE compounds, which could activate the host plant’s defence system against mite infestation, was investigated through biochemical analyses of sweet pepper. Results revealed that all PE treatments significantly reduced populations of T. urticae active stages over those in their corresponding control groups and were as ‎effective as the standard check (abamectin). TP LEEtOH70%, HB LEEtOH70%, and CS REAq achieved the highest reduction rates with efficacy of 96.29%, 95.79%, and 93.36%, respectively, against adult ‎mites.‎ This study clearly demonstrated that PEs were not harmful to both mite predators. All PE treatments showed marked elicitor effects on sweet pepper defence system with elevated photosynthetic pigment, total phenol, and protein levels and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and total yield. The reduction efficiency was plant-part and solvent-dependent. Thus, PEs have the potential as a safe alternative to chemical acaricides in pest management of T. urticae on sweet pepper in greenhouses.

Differential Response of Phenol Metabolism Associated with Antioxidative Network in Elicited Grapevine Suspension Cultured Cells under Saline Conditions.

Highly productive trans-resveratrol (t-R) grapevine suspension cultured cells (SCC) and two effective elicitors, methyl jasmonate (MJ) and randomly methylated β-cyclodextrins (CDs), were used to analyze the extent to which salt treatments alter the production of bioactive phenolic compounds. The expression/activity profile of the enzymes involved in phenol metabolism and antioxidant networks were also studied. A marked extracellular accumulation of phenolic compounds, especially t-R, was found in SCC elicited with CDs and/or MJ under saline conditions. However, the treatments with MJ alone and all those combined with salt favored the intracellular accumulation of catechin and ferulic acid. The salt-induced accumulation of phenolics was correlated with the higher total antioxidant capacity values found in cells, suggesting that cellular redox homeostasis under saline conditions was largely maintained by increasing phenolic compound production. These higher levels of phenolics found in elicited cells under saline conditions fit well with the highest activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities were boosted in treatments with MJ and/or in those combined with salt and decreased in those treated with CDs. These results suggest a differential response of the antioxidative network to the presence of elicitors under saline conditions.

Effect of biotic elicitors on the physiology, redox system, and secondary metabolite composition of Lippia alba cultivated in vitro

Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Br. ex P. Wilson is found in the Brazilian northeastern semiarid region, and its leaves are rich in essential oils that are relevant in the pharmaceutic and cosmetic industries for their proven antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. This study evaluated the influence of elicitors on the in vitro development and production of secondary compounds in Lippia alba. Cuttings from this species were inoculated in Murashige and Skoog (1962) semi-solid medium supplemented with methyl jasmonate (100, 200, and 300 µM L−1), chitosan, and yeast extract (200, 400, and 600 mg L−1) for 5 and 10 days. Elicitation for 10 days was shown to affect the growth and development of the plants, and the addition of 400 or 600 mg L−1 of chitosan and 400 mg L−1 of yeast extract for 5 days to the medium promoted an increase in plant height and leaf biomass. Furthermore, elicitation promoted the synthesis of 5-methylene-2-norbornene, ethyl pent-4-enoate, p-cymene and limonene in the essential oil of plants. Therefore, for in vitro elicitation of L. alba, we indicate the application of 400 or 600 mg L−1 of chitosan to the culture medium for 5 days.

Elicitation of isoflavonoids in Colombian edible legume plants with jasmonates and structurally related compounds

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), soybean (Glycine max L.) and mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) seedlings were treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA); then, dose-response and time-course experiments were carried out. Isoflavonoid composition was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography. As a result of MeJA induction, all leguminous plants increase the amount of isoflavonoids, at levels that depend on the concentration of the elicitor and the time after induction. However, the application of MeJA in concentrations higher than 2.22 mM showed deleterious effects on seedlings and strong decreases in the concentration of isoflavonoids. In addition, a series of compounds structurally related to MeJA, such as jasmonic acid, cis-jasmone, coronatine, and indanoyl derivatives, were evaluated as elicitors. The results show that coronatine and the indanoyl-amino acids conjugates displayed a significant elicitor effect of isoflavonoids in common bean (cvs. Cargamanto Mocho and Corpoica LAS 106) and soybean (cv. Soyica P-34) seedlings, even higher than that found with the recognized elicitors, benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (acibenzolar S-methyl) and benzo-(1,2,3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid (acibenzolar acid). Leguminous plants can be treated with jasmonates and indanoyl derivatives to increase levels of bioactive isoflavonoids and consequently improve biological and functional properties and resistance against pests.

Year, watering regime and foliar methyl jasmonate doped nanoparticles treatments: Effects on must nitrogen compounds in Monastrell grapes

In viticulture, the application of elicitors to the grapevines is increasing although their effect on the amino acids content is little studied. In this work, nanoparticles of methyl jasmonate (Ap-MeJ) were applied for the first time to Monastrell grapevines during two seasons (2019 and 2020) to increase its profitability and nitrogen plant uptake and to reduce environmental impact (less quantity) and increase its economic viability. In addition, rainfed plants were compared with grapevines under regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) watering regime, since global climatic conditions are limiting water use and quality. Results showed that season was the factor that most affected to the amino acids content (values of 12 from the 21 free amino acids determined were higher in 2019 and 4 in 2020), followed by the watering regime (higher amino acids content in musts from rainfed than in RDI water status). Foliar treatments had little impact on grape enological parameters, as well as on the amino acids concentration (only content of Pro was higher in control than in Ap-MeJ musts). This preliminary study could not confirm the elicitor effect of MeJ loaded on nanoparticles on must amino acid content and further research work should be performed in order to optimize dose of application.

Assessment of a New Copper-Based Formulation to Control Esca Disease in Field and Study of Its Impact on the Vine Microbiome, Vine Physiology and Enological Parameters of the Juice.

Copper-based preparations have been used for more than 100 years in viticulture to control downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola. LC2017, and a new low-copper-based formulation, has been developed to control grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs). Previous greenhouse studies showed the potential of LC2017 to control GTDs by both fungistatic and plant defense elicitor effects. Here, we further characterize the effects of LC2017 in the field determining its impact on: (i) incidence of Esca, (ii) the vine microbiome, (iii) the vine physiology and (iv) enological parameters of juices. We observed a progressive decrease of cumulate Esca incidence in treated vines over the years with annual fluctuation related to the known erratic emergence of GTD symptoms. Neither harmful effects of LC2017 on the vine microbiota, nor on vine physiology were observed (at both transcriptomic and metabolomic levels). Similarly, no impact of LC2017 was observed on the enological properties of berries except for sugar content in juice from esca-diseased vines. The most important result concerns the transcriptomic profiles: that of diseased and LC2017 treated vines differs from that of disease untreated ones, showing a treatment effect. Moreover, the transcriptomic profile of diseased and LC2017-treated vines is similar to that of untreated asymptomatic vines, suggesting control of the disease.

Induced resistance against Fusarium solani root rot disease in cassava plant (Manihot esculenta Crantz) promoted by salicylic acid and Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT Root rot disease of cassava is one of the major diseases in Thailand, widespread incidence of soil-borne pathogens has been found to affect more than 80%. The research aims to investigate the effect of elicitors as salicylic acid and Bacillus subtilis strain JN2-007 for inducing resistance against root rot disease by Fusarium solani in cassava. The experiment was carried out in a susceptible cassava cultivar to test the efficacy of elicitors in the biochemical response of plant defense mechanisms pertaining to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and enzyme activities. The results indicated that pathogenicity test of F. solani isolate SHRD1 caused the brown lesions around the inoculation point on cassava roots. Subsequently, salicylic acid and JN2-007 reduced mycelial growth of F. solani (11.83%–57.73% at day 7), as well as disease severity in the cassava plants at 14 days after the inoculation compared to that of the negative control (28.12%–39.58% compared to 68.75%). Furthermore, salicylic acid at a concentration of 500 µl. L−1 could induce H2O2, level of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and catalase activities that were highest at 24 h after pathogen inoculation. The results suggested that elicitors played an important role as a plant defense inducer, leading to reduced Fusarium root rot disease.

Effect of salicylic acid and methyl salicylate treatment on polyphenol metabolites and bioactive properties of mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprouts

Present study embodies investigation on the effect of elicitors, namely methyl salicylate (MeSA) and salicylic acid (SA), along with the phenolic precursor (L-phenylalanine) on the antioxidant potential and bioactive composition of mung bean sprouts. Results showed highest increase in total phenolic, flavonoid and condensed tannin content in sprouts treated with L-phenylalanine and 1.0% MeSA (2.0-fold, 4.02-fold, and 6.75-fold, respectively as compared to control). Elicited sprouts with the similar treatment showed highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, ferric reducing antioxidant power and metal ion chelation activity. Furthermore, 4.40 fold, 2.90 fold, and 2.81 fold increase in PAL, TAL and peroxidase activity, respectively was also observed. It may be concluded that elicitation along with phenolic precursor treatment effectively increased the bioactive content and antioxidant capacity of mung bean sprouts.

Effect of several pre-sowing elicitor seed treatments on mustard (<em>Brassica juncea</em> L.) Vigour Index against Alternaria blight disease in India

Effect of several pre-sowing elicitor seed treatments on mustard (<em>Brassica juncea</em> L.) Vigour Index against Alternaria blight disease in India

The Effect of The Combination of Precursor and Elicitors Enhance the Taxol Accumulation in Red Pine Cell Cultivation

The material introduced into the callus culture was the in vitro cloned red pine stem and leaves. Callus obtained through culture from leaves and stems were included in the study on proliferation on agar and liquid media. The suspension obtained after 45 days of culture was determined for biomass, used in proliferation culture, and studied taxol accumulation. Media for taxus cell cloning was MS supplemented with 3 mg/l 2.4D, 3 mg/l NAA, 0.5 mg/l kinetin, 0.1 mg/l BA, 10% CW. Selections were carried out through 8 steps in the year of 2010 with interval cultivation time of 45 days/each step. It’s could improve the taxol accumulation via cell suspension cultures sourced from leaves 170.1 mg/gDW and stems 27.3 mg/gDW. Picloram was not effect on taxol accumulation. On the basic media MS supplemented with 3 mg/l 2.4D, 3 mg/l NAA, 0.5 mg/l kinetin, 0.1 mg/l BA, 10% CW supplemented with precursor of 15mg/l phenyl alanine (PA) effects on the percentage of FW/DW (fresh weight/dried weight) was 9.815 and the taxol accumulation was 0.778%. The effects of elicitors supplemented to media with 10 mg/l methyl jasmonate (MJ) having 7.183 FW/DW and 0.273% taxol, 100 mg/l salysilic acid (SA) having 10.12 FW/DW and 0.094% taxol, 50mg/l chitosan having 10.09 FW/DW and 0.119% taxol, 5mg/l oligo-chitosan having 9.090 FW/DW and 0.778% taxol. The effects of the combination of precursor and elicitors (15 mg/l phenyl alanine, 10 mg/l methyl jasmonate, 5 mg/l O-chitosan, 100 mg/l salysilic acid) enhance the taxol accumulation to 1.003% in comparison of separately as PA having 0.114% taxol, PA+Ochi having 0.542% taxol, PA+MJ+Ochi having 0.564%. Cell cloning from leaves (1.701%) had the taxol accumulation more than from stem (0.273%).

Chitosan Nanoparticles Inactivate Alfalfa Mosaic Virus Replication and Boost Innate Immunity in Nicotiana glutinosa Plants.

Plant viral infection is one of the most severe issues in food security globally, resulting in considerable crop production losses. Chitosan is a well-known biocontrol agent against a variety of plant infections. However, research on combatting viral infections is still in its early stages. The current study investigated the antiviral activities (protective, curative, and inactivation) of the prepared chitosan/dextran nanoparticles (CDNPs, 100 µg mL−1) on Nicotiana glutinosa plants. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that the synthesized CDNPs had a uniform, regular sphere shapes ranging from 20 to 160 nm in diameter, with an average diameter of 91.68 nm. The inactivation treatment was the most effective treatment, which resulted in a 100% reduction in the alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV, Acc# OK413670) accumulation level. On the other hand, the foliar application of CDNPs decreased disease severity and significantly reduced viral accumulation levels by 70.43% and 61.65% in protective and curative treatments, respectively, under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, the induction of systemic acquired resistance, increasing total carbohydrates and total phenolic contents, as well as triggering the transcriptional levels of peroxidase, pathogen-related protein-1, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were observed. In light of the results, we propose that the potential application of CDNPs could be an eco-friendly approach to enhance yield and a more effective therapeutic elicitor for disease management in plants upon induction of defense systems.

Impacts of κ-Oligocarrageenan Application on Photosynthesis, Nutrient Uptake and Bean Yield of Coffee (Coffea robusta)

κ-Oligocarrgeenan (OC) is well known as an effective and green plant growth promoter and elicitor. However, its effect on coffee plant has not been investigated so far. This study aimed to examine the impacts of OC on biophysical activity, vegetative growth and productivity of coffee plant (Coffea robusta). OC with average molecular weight (AMW) of 4.0 kDa was prepared by depolymerization of carrageenan using ascorbic acid. Field experiments were conducted by foliar spray four times per year at various OC concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 ppm) for three years (2017-2019). The results showed that OC promoted growth of coffee plant in all tested concentrations, and an optimized concentration was found at 150 ppm which showed a significant increase compared to the control plant in total chlorophyll (24.79%), carotenoid (31.65%), uptakes of N (15.66%), P (15.81%), and K (22.25%) minerals in leaves, crop yield (19.80%) and bean size (13.10%). Therefore, OC is potentially promising to apply as a promoter to enhance yield of crops for sustainable coffee plantation.

Phytohormones and Elicitors Enhanced the Ecdysteroid and Glycosylflavone Content and Antioxidant Activity of Silene repens

In the course of the ongoing chemical study of species of Silene genus, S. repens Patrin as a common species of the genus, was selected as the object of this study. Using high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-PDA-ESI-tQ-MS), the presence of 12 ecdysteroids and 6 glycosylflavones was established in S. repens introduced seedlings. 20-Hydroxyecdysone and polypodine B, as well as sileneside E and schaftoside, were the dominant compounds in introduced seedlings of S. repens. The effect of exogenous phytohormones and elicitors on the productivity and accumulation of ecdysteroids and glycosylflavones in introduced seedlings of S. repens was investigated for the first time. It was found that the use of ethyl arachidonate (100 mg/L) to increase the productivity of S. repens is justified. To obtain S. repens with a high content of ecdysteroids and glycosylflavones, it is recommended to apply epibrassinolide (100 mg/L) and 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (100 mg/L), respectively. Antioxidant activity of S. repens against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·) was determined, and it was revealed that sileneside E and schaftoside, as well as meloside A and isovitexin had the highest antioxidant activity among the studied compounds of S. repens.

Towards Understanding the Involvement of H+-ATPase in Programmed Cell Death of Psammosilene tunicoides after Oxalic Acid Application.

Psammosilene tunicoides is a unique perennial medicinal plant species native to the Southwestern regions of China. Its wild population is rare and endangered due to over-excessive collection and extended growth (4–5 years). This research shows that H+-ATPase activity was a key factor for oxalate-inducing programmed cell death (PCD) of P. tunicoides suspension cells. Oxalic acid (OA) is an effective abiotic elicitor that enhances a plant cell’s resistance to environmental stress. However, the role of OA in this process remains to be mechanistically unveiled. The present study evaluated the role of OA-induced cell death using an inverted fluorescence microscope after staining with Evans blue, FDA, PI, and Rd123. OA-stimulated changes in K+ and Ca2+ trans-membrane flows using a patch-clamp method, together with OA modulation of H+-ATPase activity, were further examined. OA treatment increased cell death rate in a dosage-and duration-dependent manner. OA significantly decreased the mitochondria activity and damaged its electron transport chain. The OA treatment also decreased intracellular pH, while the FC increased the pH value. Simultaneously, NH4Cl caused intracellular acidification. The OA treatment independently resulted in 90% and the FC led to 25% cell death rates. Consistently, the combined treatments caused a 31% cell death rate. Furthermore, treatment with EGTA caused a similar change in intracellular pH value to the La3+ and OA application. Combined results suggest that OA-caused cell death could be attributed to intracellular acidification and the involvement of OA in the influx of extracellular Ca2+, thereby leading to membrane depolarization. Here we explore the resistance mechanism of P. tunicoides cells against various stresses endowed by OA treatment.

Non-Chemical Treatments for the Pre- and Post-Harvest Elicitation of Defense Mechanisms in the Fungi-Avocado Pathosystem.

The greatest challenge for the avocado (Persea americana Miller) industry is to maintain the quality of the fruit to meet consumer requirements. Anthracnose is considered the most important disease in this industry, and it is caused by different species of the genus Colletotrichum, although other pathogens can be equally important. The defense mechanisms that fruit naturally uses can be triggered in response to the attack of pathogenic microorganisms and also by the application of exogenous elicitors in the form of GRAS compounds. The elicitors are recognized by receptors called PRRs, which are proteins located on the avocado fruit cell surface that have high affinity and specificity for PAMPs, MAMPs, and DAMPs. The activation of defense-signaling pathways depends on ethylene, salicylic, and jasmonic acids, and it occurs hours or days after PTI activation. These defense mechanisms aim to drive the pathogen to death. The application of essential oils, antagonists, volatile compounds, chitosan and silicon has been documented in vitro and on avocado fruit, showing some of them to have elicitor and fungicidal effects that are reflected in the postharvest quality of the fruit and a lower incidence of diseases. The main focus of these studies has been on anthracnose diseases. This review presents the most relevant advances in the use of natural compounds with antifungal and elicitor effects in plant tissues.

Chitosan and chitosan nanoparticle effect on growth, productivity and some biochemical aspects of Lupinus termis L plant under drought conditions

Chitosan is a natural biopolymer formed from chitins that considered as an effective bioregulator and elicitor in agriculture. Therefore, this investigation was done to study the effect of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles (0 and 50 mg/l) on alleviating the adverse effect of drought stress on Lupine termis L plant. Lowering water irrigation requirement from 100% to 60%, significantly reduced different growth criteria, photosynthetic pigments, indole acetic acid (IAA), yield and its components in addition to carbohydrate, protein and oil contents of the yielded seeds of lupine plant. On the other hand, drought stress significantly increased total soluble sugars (TSS), proline and free amino acids of lupine plants, in addition to phenolic and flavonoids contents of the yielded seeds. On the other hand, pre sowing treatment with (50 mg/l) Chito or Chito NPs could increase significantly growth parameters, yield quantity and quality of lupine plant via improving photosynthetic pigments, IAA, TSS, proline, free amino acid contents comparing with their corresponding controls. However, Chito NPs was more effective than Chito. Finally it could be concluded that, the promotive role of chitosan in improving tolerance of lupine to drought stress and improve growth and yield through improving different studied biochemical processes.

Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of plants resistance to oxidative stress under peptide elicitor AtPep1

The effect of the peptide elicitor AtPep1 on the resistance of soybean and pea plants to oxidative stress was studied. The concentration of the peptide 10– 9 mol/L has the maximum elicitor effect on these plants. It was shown that treatment of the aerial part of seedlings with this peptide leads to an increase in the activity of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation products in plants under oxidative stress. Revealed effects cause an increase in the plants resistance to stress.

Combining an HA + Cu (II) Site-Targeted Copper-Based Product with a Pruning Wound Protection Program to Prevent Infection with Lasiodiplodia spp. in Grapevine.

The genus Lasiodiplodia has been reported from several grape growing regions and is considered as one of the fastest wood colonizers, causing Botryosphaeria dieback. The aim of this study was to (i) evaluate the efficacy of Esquive®, a biocontrol agent, on vineyard pruning wound protection, applied single or, in a combined protection strategy with a new site-targeted copper-based treatment (LC2017), and (ii) compare their efficacy with chemical protection provided by the commercially available product, Tessior®. For two seasons, protectants were applied onto pruning wounds, while LC2017 was applied throughout the season according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pruning wounds of two different cultivars were inoculated with three isolates of Lasiodiplodia spp. Efficacy of the wound protectants, varied between both years of the assay and according to the cultivar studied but were able to control the pathogen to some extent. The application of LC2017 did not show clear evidence of improving the control obtained by the sole application of the other products tested. Nevertheless, LC2017 showed a fungistatic effect against Lasiodiplodia spp., in vitro, and has previously shown an elicitor effect against grapevine trunk diseases. Therefore, this combination of two protection strategies may constitute a promising long-term approach to mitigate the impact of Botryosphaeria dieback.

Chemical Elicitors-Induced Variation in Cellular Biomass, Biosynthesis of Secondary Cell Products, and Antioxidant System in Callus Cultures of Fagonia indica.

Fagonia indica is a rich source of pharmacologically active compounds. The variation in the metabolites of interest is one of the major issues in wild plants due to different environmental factors. The addition of chemical elicitors is one of the effective strategies to trigger the biosynthetic pathways for the release of a higher quantity of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of chemical elicitors, aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2), on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, biomass, and the antioxidant system in callus cultures of F. indica. Among various treatments applied, AlCl3 (0.1 mM concentration) improved the highest in biomass accumulation (fresh weight (FW): 404.72 g/L) as compared to the control (FW: 269.85 g/L). The exposure of cultures to AlCl3 (0.01 mM) enhanced the accumulation of secondary metabolites, and the total phenolic contents (TPCs: 7.74 mg/g DW) and total flavonoid contents (TFCs: 1.07 mg/g DW) were higher than those of cultures exposed to CdCl2 (0.01 mM) with content levels (TPC: 5.60 and TFC: 0.97 mg/g) as compared to the control (TPC: 4.16 and TFC: 0.42 mg/g DW). Likewise, AlCl3 and CdCl2 also promoted the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA; 89.4% and 90%, respectively) at a concentration of 0.01 mM, as compared to the control (65.48%). For instance, the quantification of metabolites via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed an optimum production of myricetin (1.20 mg/g), apigenin (0.83 mg/g), isorhamnetin (0.70 mg/g), and kaempferol (0.64 mg/g). Cultures grown in the presence of AlCl3 triggered higher quantities of secondary metabolites than those grown in the presence of CdCl2 (0.79, 0.74, 0.57, and 0.67 mg/g). Moreover, AlCl3 at 0.1 mM enhanced the biosynthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD: 0.08 nM/min/mg-FW) and peroxidase enzymes (POD: 2.37 nM/min/mg-FW), while CdCl2 resulted in an SOD activity up to 0.06 nM/min/mg-FW and POD: 2.72 nM/min/mg-FW. From these results, it is clear that AlCl3 is a better elicitor in terms of a higher and uniform productivity of biomass, secondary cell products, and antioxidant enzymes compared to CdCl2 and the control. It is possible to scale the current strategy to a bioreactor for a higher productivity of metabolites of interest for various pharmaceutical industries.