Biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles: a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures

Abstract Background Secondary metabolites are distinct compounds with significant medicinal value, yet their production and chemical synthesis present considerable challenges. This necessitates the development of innovative strategies to improve their yield. This study investigated the potential of...

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Main Authors: Sherien E. Sobhy, Asmaa M. Khalifa, Elsayed E. Hafez, Doaa E. Elsherif
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06573-z
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author Sherien E. Sobhy
Asmaa M. Khalifa
Elsayed E. Hafez
Doaa E. Elsherif
author_facet Sherien E. Sobhy
Asmaa M. Khalifa
Elsayed E. Hafez
Doaa E. Elsherif
author_sort Sherien E. Sobhy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Secondary metabolites are distinct compounds with significant medicinal value, yet their production and chemical synthesis present considerable challenges. This necessitates the development of innovative strategies to improve their yield. This study investigated the potential of biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) as an eco-friendly elicitor to enhance the synthesis of antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures. Results After seven weeks, induced calli of L. arabicus L were transferred to MS media supplemented with SNPs at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/l). The results indicated that SNPs (100 mg/l) induced significantly higher profiles for biomass and secondary metabolite compared to the control treatments. Enzyme activities related to secondary metabolite biosynthesis, specifically phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner, with the greatest increases observed at 100 mg/l SNPs. The SNPs also modulated oxidative stress markers (MDA and H2O2), generally improving callus growth conditions by reducing oxidative stress, except at the highest concentration of 200 mg/l. Additionally, the application of SNPs at 100 mg/l markedly upregulated the expression levels of six crucial genes in the biosynthesis pathway of secondary metabolites (chalcone synthase (CHS), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), flavonol synthase (FLS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), hydroxycinnamoyl CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT), and deoxyxylulose phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR)). Quantitative HPLC profiling of 16 phenolic and flavonoid compounds revealed that supplementation with SNPs resulted in noticeable boots in the majority of the measured compounds with SNP supplementation. Conclusion Overall, the supplementation of SNPs in the culture media of L. arabicus L callus positively influenced secondary metabolite production at the molecular and physiological levels, increasing its potential for medicinal use.
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series BMC Plant Biology
spelling doaj-art-6df3b413078d465ba3eb1459f58ee62e2025-08-20T01:49:42ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-05-0125111410.1186/s12870-025-06573-zBiosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles: a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus culturesSherien E. Sobhy0Asmaa M. Khalifa1Elsayed E. Hafez2Doaa E. Elsherif3Plant Protection and Bimolecular Diagnosis Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological ApplicationsBotany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Girls Branch)Plant Protection and Bimolecular Diagnosis Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological ApplicationsBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta UniversityAbstract Background Secondary metabolites are distinct compounds with significant medicinal value, yet their production and chemical synthesis present considerable challenges. This necessitates the development of innovative strategies to improve their yield. This study investigated the potential of biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) as an eco-friendly elicitor to enhance the synthesis of antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures. Results After seven weeks, induced calli of L. arabicus L were transferred to MS media supplemented with SNPs at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/l). The results indicated that SNPs (100 mg/l) induced significantly higher profiles for biomass and secondary metabolite compared to the control treatments. Enzyme activities related to secondary metabolite biosynthesis, specifically phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner, with the greatest increases observed at 100 mg/l SNPs. The SNPs also modulated oxidative stress markers (MDA and H2O2), generally improving callus growth conditions by reducing oxidative stress, except at the highest concentration of 200 mg/l. Additionally, the application of SNPs at 100 mg/l markedly upregulated the expression levels of six crucial genes in the biosynthesis pathway of secondary metabolites (chalcone synthase (CHS), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), flavonol synthase (FLS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), hydroxycinnamoyl CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT), and deoxyxylulose phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR)). Quantitative HPLC profiling of 16 phenolic and flavonoid compounds revealed that supplementation with SNPs resulted in noticeable boots in the majority of the measured compounds with SNP supplementation. Conclusion Overall, the supplementation of SNPs in the culture media of L. arabicus L callus positively influenced secondary metabolite production at the molecular and physiological levels, increasing its potential for medicinal use.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06573-zCallus cultureSulfur nanoparticlesElicitationGene expressionPhenolicAntioxidant
spellingShingle Sherien E. Sobhy
Asmaa M. Khalifa
Elsayed E. Hafez
Doaa E. Elsherif
Biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles: a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures
BMC Plant Biology
Callus culture
Sulfur nanoparticles
Elicitation
Gene expression
Phenolic
Antioxidant
title Biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles: a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures
title_full Biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles: a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures
title_fullStr Biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles: a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures
title_full_unstemmed Biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles: a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures
title_short Biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles: a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. callus cultures
title_sort biosynthesized sulfur nanoparticles a novel strategy to enhance antioxidant secondary metabolites in lotus arabicus l callus cultures
topic Callus culture
Sulfur nanoparticles
Elicitation
Gene expression
Phenolic
Antioxidant
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06573-z
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