Planta Med 2011; 77 - PB42
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282296

Induction of changes in secondary metabolites and essential oils of Calendula officinalis L. by methyl jasmonate

F Ghanati 1, S Bakhtiarian 1, P Abdolmaleki 2
  • 1Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran.
  • 2Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

In this study, effect of Methyl jasmonate as a chemical elicitor on the secondary metabolites and essential oils of Calendula officinalis L. shoot were evaluated. The plants were grown in hydroponic conditions in Hogland nutrient solution and were treated with 50 and 100µM methyl jasmonate. The results showed that lignin content were increased significantly in treated plants. In comparison, the content of total wall associated phenolic compounds and anthocyanins and flavonoid of shoots of treated plants decreased. However, there was no significant difference in membrane lipid peroxidation rate of treated plants and control ones. In the essential oils of C. officinalis shoots, α- Cadinol was the major constituent. A sesquiterpene compound, α-Muurolene, with anti fungal properties was induced in those plants treated with methyl jasmonate, therefore, this chemical elicitor can be suggested for inducing changes in isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway and special phytoalexin production.

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