Effect of planting density on the production of bioactive compounds in Pereskia aculeata

Planting density is a practice that can add nutraceutical quality to many crops. Ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) is a plant with high productive and nutritional value, but there is limited research regarding its agronomic aspects. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of planting density on the contents of bioactive compounds and total soluble proteins in leaves of ora-pro-nobis produced by EPAMIG Sudeste – MG, Brazil. Planting was done in randomised blocks, with four different densities (1, 4, 8 and 16 plants/m²), and four replicates of each group. The concentration of bioactives in fresh leaf was quantitatively determined by colorimetric methods. Leaves of the clone grown at densities of 4 and 8 plants/m² showed a significant increase in carotenoid content (90 and 87 ug/100 g of leaves, respectively) in relation to those grown in areas of 1 plant/m² (51 ug/100 g of leaves). For all evaluated densities, the amount of total phenolics was higher in leaves grown under a density of 8 plants/m², reaching a content of 300 mg/100 g of leaves, which represents twice the concentration value found in leaves from other densities. The antioxidant activity (ABTS method) showed the best result, 41%, in the planting of 16 plants/m², indicating variation in metabolite composition or concentration. Density had no significant effect on the contents of flavonoids, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and total proteins. These results indicate that planting density affects the composition and concentration of metabolites of the plant and should be considered for the development of derivative products.

 

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. November 2023