The effect of foliar application of chitosan, ironoxide and chitosan-ironoxide complex nanoparticules on secondary metabolites of Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra

Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. is a medicinal plant containing secondary metabolites used as antidepressants, such as hypericin and its derivatives. Various elicitors are used to increase the amount of secondary metabolite produced at the particular stage of development or during stress. In recent years, the use of nano elicitors have become widespread since it is more convenient and easily available. In this study, the effect of 50 ppm, 75 ppm, 100 ppm and 150 ppm concentrations of chitosan, ironoxide and chitosan-ironoxide complex nanoparticles on phenolic compounds of H. triquetrifolium were investigated before flowering and during full flowering period. In the pre-flowering period, 75 ppm iron oxide and chitosan iron oxide complex nanoparticles have increased statistically significant the amounts of hesperidine, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, rutine, quercitrin, campferol and hyperforin. 150 chitosan nanoparticles applied in this period have increased the amounts of hesperidin, hyperoside and hyperforin. In full flowering period, 150 ppm iron oxide nanoparticles have increased the amounts of hesperidine, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, rutine, quercitrin, hyperforin and campferol. The amounts of chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, quercitrin, pseudohypericin and hypericin have increased in 150 ppm chitosan. In the same period the concentration of rutine and campferol have increased in 100 ppm chitosan. Nanoparticles of chitosan iron oxide complex of 100 ppm also increased the amount of quercitrin, campferol and pseudohypericin.