Effect of nanoparticles on callus induction to produce secondary metabolites in Salvia hispanica L

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.

2 Scientific Research Commission, Baghdad, Iraq.

3 Scientific Research Commission, Baghdad, Iraq

10.22103/jab.2026.26948.1869

Abstract

Objective
The seeds of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) have a variety of polyphenolic compounds, which include flavonoids, phenolic acids, depsides and catechins. They are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds and contain bioactive compounds; therefore, they are allowed as ingredients in food, dietary supplements, and cosmetic products. Moreover, nanoparticles are emerging as innovative elicitors in agriculture and plant biotechnology. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃ NPs) as nano-elicitors for enhancing the biosynthesis of bioactive phenolic compounds found in callus cultures derived from Salvia hispanica L. (chia).
Materials and methods
Callus cultures were produced from shoot explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) growth medium supplemented with 1 mg/L BA and 1 mg/L IAA. The cultures were subjected to various concentrations of Fe₂O₃ NPs (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg/L) and subsequently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the profile of the phenolic compounds. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Duncan's multiple range test at p ≤ 0.05.
Results
Strong concentration-dependent modulation of the phenolic profile was observed, with six phenolic acids (protocatechuic, ferulic, vanillic, syringic, chlorogenic, and p-coumaric) exhibiting maximum accumulation at the lowest dosage of 5 mg/L (increased by 282%) and the rosmarinic acid accumulating progressively with a peak level at 25 mg/L (increased by 123%). Gallic acid peaked at 15 mg/L, while rosmarinic acid increased progressively, reaching 1771 µg/mL (123% higher than control) at 25 mg/L. Treatment with Fe₂O₃ NPs enhanced phenolic acid production in callus cultures. The 5 mg/L concentration led to the highest overall accumulation of phenolic acids, whereas higher concentrations preferentially stimulated the biosynthesis of specific compounds, including gallic acid and rosmarinic acid.
Conclusion
Results show that Fe₂O₃ NPs can act as potent, low-cost elicitors that selectively increase the biosynthesis of value-added phenolics in the callus cultures of chia for use as nutraceuticals. This study provides a basis for further optimization and scale-up of nanoparticle-mediated elicitation to enhance the production of bioactive metabolites in plant cell culture systems.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 18, Issue 3
June 2026
Pages 213-230

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