Elicitation in Rosmarinus officinalis to increase biosynthesis of bioactive compounds for industrial purposes

• Grant number: 21/07166-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2021
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Cláudia Pacheco Santos
• Grantee: Ana Cláudia Pacheco Santos
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alessandra Ferreira Ribas ; Hélida Mara Magalhães ; Silvia Graciele Hulse de Souza ; Tiago Benedito dos Santos
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/04167-6 - ELICITATION IN Rosmarinus officinalis TO INCREASE BIOSYNTHESIS OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, BP.TT

Abstract

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a plant that produces secondary compounds of industrial interest. Elicitors are diverse substances that, when applied to plants, stimulates the secondary metabolism and increase the concentration of bioactive compounds. Recent works on elicitation in rosemary have shown positive results regarding the production of essential oil into the plant. However, currently there is no information in the literature about the effect of elicitation in relation to carnosic and rosmarinic acids biosynthesis. These compounds are used as natural antioxidants in foods and are the target of selection among rosemary producers. Therefore, the aim of this search will be to evaluate the plant regulator salicylic acid (AS) and the bio stimulant extract of seaweed (BES) on the biomass yield and the concentrations of essential oil, carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid in R. officinalis. Additionally, molecular approaches will be carried out to verify the action of elicitors on gene expression related to carnosic acid biosynthesis. The experiment will be conducted in two stages, the first of which will be carried out to evaluate the elicitors and the biochemical analyzes of the dosage of the secondary compounds and in the second stage, molecular studies will be carried out. The results obtained will allow validating the use of elicitation as a sustainable technique for the commercial cultivation of rosemary, aiming to increase concentration of antioxidant compounds of interest. (AU)