Natural Antioxidants: Salt Stress Reducers and Growth Boosters

Jim Crocker
5th September, 2024

Natural Antioxidants: Salt Stress Reducers and Growth Boosters

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at UFVJM studied the effects of turmeric and paprika on lettuce seed germination under salinity stress
  • Turmeric was ineffective due to its low solubility in water, which compromised its bioactivity
  • Paprika at 4 g/L improved the physiological quality of lettuce seeds by mitigating salinity stress
Salinity poses a significant challenge to crop production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. It affects seed germination and seedling growth by causing osmotic stress, ion-specific effects, and oxidative stress, among other physiological and biochemical changes[2]. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) aimed to explore natural pigments, specifically turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and paprika (Capsicum annum L.), as potential biostimulants and salinity stress attenuators during the germination and initial development of smooth lettuce seedlings[1]. In the laboratory phase of the research, lettuce seeds were treated with solutions of turmeric and paprika at various concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 g/L) for one hour. These treated seeds were then placed on a substrate containing a saline solution of sodium chloride (4 g/L) to simulate salinity stress. A positive control group consisted of dry seeds placed on a substrate moistened with distilled water. The study aimed to identify the optimal concentration that could mitigate the adverse effects of salinity. The results indicated that turmeric was ineffective in overcoming the effects of salinity on seeds and seedlings. This inefficacy was attributed to the low solubility of turmeric in water, which compromises its bioactivity. In contrast, paprika showed promising results. At a concentration of 4 g/L, paprika was effective in attenuating the effects of salinity, thereby improving the physiological quality of the lettuce seeds. The study utilized High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to analyze the bioactive substances in the turmeric and paprika solutions. The analysis revealed a low signal response, indicating a low percentage of soluble compounds in both turmeric and paprika solutions. This finding suggests that the bioactivity of these compounds is compromised, necessitating further research using surfactants or other solvents to enhance solubility and bioavailability. Capsanthin, a prominent pigment in paprika, is known for its strong antioxidant properties and various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities[3]. These properties could contribute to its effectiveness in mitigating salinity stress. Previous studies have shown that paprika cultivated under artificial light conditions exhibited high levels of carotenoids and strong antioxidant capacities, which further supports its potential as a salinity stress attenuator[4]. The study also involved growing the treated seeds in a greenhouse and applying weekly foliar sprays of the 4 g/L solution of turmeric and paprika. Morphometric analyses were performed after the crop cycle to evaluate the overall growth and development of the seedlings. While paprika did not exhibit a biostimulant effect, it was effective in reducing the adverse effects of salinity, thereby promoting better growth and development of the lettuce seedlings. In summary, this study highlights the potential of paprika as an effective salinity stress attenuator, improving the physiological quality of lettuce seeds under saline conditions. However, the low solubility and bioavailability of both turmeric and paprika solutions indicate the need for further research to enhance their effectiveness. The findings align with previous studies on the antioxidant properties of capsanthin in paprika[3][4], suggesting that natural pigments could play a crucial role in mitigating salinity stress in crops.

HealthBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Natural antioxidants: salinity atenuators and bio-stimulants.

Published 4th September, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.279415

Related Studies

2) Seed priming to alleviate salinity stress in germinating seeds.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2015.12.011

3) Capsanthin, a Plant-Derived Xanthophyll: a Review of Pharmacology and Delivery Strategies.

https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-021-02065-z

4) Binding, Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative Properties of Bioactive Compounds of Sweet Paprika (Capsicum annuum L.).

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-016-0550-9


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