Boosting Nutrition and Antioxidants in Perilla Plants with Beneficial Fungi

Jenn Hoskins
11th August, 2024

Boosting Nutrition and Antioxidants in Perilla Plants with Beneficial Fungi

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Shoolini University investigated the impact of two endophytic fungi, Irpex lenis and Schizophyllum commune, on the medicinal plant Perilla frutescens
  • Inoculation with Irpex lenis significantly increased the levels of key nutrients and phytochemicals in Perilla frutescens leaves
  • The enhanced phytochemical content in the I. lenis-inoculated plants correlated with improved antioxidant potential, suggesting boosted therapeutic properties
Endophytic fungi (EF) are microorganisms that reside within plant tissues without causing harm, and they often provide significant benefits to their host plants. These benefits include enhancing nutrient uptake and producing bioactive compounds that can improve the medicinal properties of the host plants. A recent study conducted by Shoolini University aimed to investigate the impact of two specific endophytic fungi, Irpex lenis and Schizophyllum commune, on the medicinal plant Perilla frutescens, focusing on their role in enhancing its medicinal properties[1]. The study divided Perilla frutescens plants into four groups: a control group, a group inoculated with I. lenis, a group inoculated with S. commune, and a group inoculated with both fungi. The results demonstrated that inoculation with I. lenis significantly increased the concentration of several key nutrients and phytochemicals in the leaves of P. frutescens. Specifically, the concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrates, and crude fiber were all elevated in the I. lenis-inoculated group. Additionally, the plants in this group showed the highest levels of essential minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and manganese. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the I. lenis-inoculated plants had increased levels of total flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and alkaloids. These compounds are known for their medicinal properties, including antioxidant activities. The study used GC-MS and HPTLC analyses to identify and quantify these bioactive constituents, confirming the presence of major compounds like 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester, and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester. The phenol gallic acid and flavonoids such as rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin were also found to be increased in the inoculated plants. The enhancement in phytochemical content was correlated with improved antioxidant potential, as demonstrated by the DPPH and FRAP assays. The DPPH assay showed a significant increase in % inhibition, indicating a higher antioxidant activity, while the FRAP assay confirmed an increase in Fe (II) equivalent, further supporting the enhanced antioxidant properties. This study builds on earlier research that has highlighted the important roles of endophytic fungi in plant growth and phytoremediation. For instance, previous studies have shown that endophytic fungi can enhance plant growth and resilience to environmental stressors, including metal toxicity[2][3]. Another study demonstrated that different endophytic fungi could stimulate the growth and accumulation of medicinal compounds in the Chinese herbal medicinal plant Houttuynia cordata[4]. The findings from Shoolini University's research align with these earlier studies, confirming that endophytic fungi can significantly enhance the medicinal properties of host plants by boosting their nutritional and phytochemical content. In conclusion, the inoculation of Perilla frutescens with Irpex lenis significantly enhances the uptake of nutritional constituents, phytochemicals, and antioxidant properties, suggesting its potential to boost the therapeutic properties of host plants. This study provides a deeper understanding of how endophytic fungi can be leveraged to improve the medicinal value of plants, offering promising implications for the production of herbal medicines and supplements.

NutritionPlant ScienceMycology

References

Main Study

1) Impact of Irpex lenis and Schizophyllum commune endophytic fungi on Perilla frutescens: enhancing nutritional uptake, phytochemicals, and antioxidant potential.

Published 10th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-024-02491-1

Related Studies

2) Hidden fungi, emergent properties: endophytes and microbiomes.

https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-phyto-080508-081831

3) Fungal endophytes and their interactions with plants in phytoremediation: A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.10.097

4) Endophytic fungi stimulate the concentration of medicinal secondary metabolites in houttuynia cordata thunb.

https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2021.1929731


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