Enhancement of Total Flavonoid and Phenolic Contents in Plantago major L. with Plant Growth Promoting Cyanobacteria

The flavonoid and phenolic compounds are among the main pharmaceutical components of medicinal plants. These compounds are considered as effective anti-oxidant sources. Five cyanobacterial extracts were used to stimulate the plant growth and increase production of specific secondary metabolites in Plantago major as a medicinal plant. These cyanobacteria were isolated from the growth bed of the plant in its natural habitats. Nitrate-free BG11 medium was used for preparing axenic monoalgal cultures. Pot experiments were performed by spraying cyanobacterial extracts on the soil of treated plants every 20 days from the time of planting. Growth of plants was evaluated by measuring growth parameters such as plant height, root length, dry and fresh weight of plant, leaf number, leaf area, as well as inflorescence characteristics 60 days after planting. In addition to growth factors, the total amount of phenol and flavonoid of plants was also assessed. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the vegetative and reproductive characteristics compared to the control plants. Also, the methanolic extraction of treated and control plants displayed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content 77.23±3.21 μg of GA mg-1 and 389.67±34.43 μg of RU mg-1 in plants treated with Cylindrospermum michailovskoence. Based on the obtained results, cyanobacterial fertilizers are suggested as the biological elicitors to improve the quantity and quality of medicinal plants products. As a result of this study, chemical content of cyanobacterial extracts and the production of plant growth stimulating substances such as phytohormones can be proposed as factors affecting plant growth parameters and metabolites production