Comparative Elicitation of Phenolic Accumulation in Salvia officinalis Hairy-Root Cultures Using Salicylic Acid, Silver Nitrate, LED Spectra, and Microbial Preparations
TL;DR
Findings show that controlled sage-root cultures could provide a more consistent source of valuable natural compounds for future research and the development of plant-based products.
Abstract
Simple Summary Sage is a medicinal plant that contains natural compounds with potential health and protective benefits, but the amount of these compounds can vary when plants are grown outdoors. This study developed a controlled laboratory method for growing fast-growing sage roots and tested whether different light colours, silver nitrate, salicylic acid, and substances produced by beneficial bacteria and fungi could increase the production of these compounds. Silver nitrate was the most effective treatment, markedly increasing the total amount of plant phenolic compounds and producing about three times more rosmarinic acid after seven days. Blue and red light also increased total phenolic content, while green light encouraged the release of these compounds into the surrounding liquid. A liquid produced by Bacillus velezensis increased rosmarinic acid production approximately tenfold. Extracts from treated roots slowed the growth of selected bacteria and fungi, particularly Bacillus spizizenii and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, although the effects were relatively weak and varied between organisms. These findings show that controlled sage-root cultures could provide a more consistent source of valuable natural compounds for future research and the development of plant-based products.