The Effect of Foliar Spraying of Cinnamic Acid on the Bioactive Compounds of ‘Rabab-e Neyriz’ Pomegranate Fruit

Document Type : Full Paper

Authors

1 Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

2 Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Pomegranate fruit has an important role in maintaining human health due to its high antioxidant content. Biostimulants are natural and ecological friendly compounds that increase the quality of the product by stimulating plant processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foliar application of cinnamic acid (0, 1, 5 and 10 mM) at three stages (20, 40 and 60 days before harvest) on improving the nutritional quality of pomegranate. This research was carried out on 15-year-old pomegranate trees of Rabab cultivar in a commercial pomegranate orchard located in Neyriz city of Fars province, in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the years 2019 and 2020. Foliar application of cinnamic acid in the pre-harvest stages had a significant effect on the quality traits and bioactive compounds of pomegranate fruits. The results indicated that cinnamic acid treatment increased the amount of total soluble solids (8.44% compared to the control), titratable acidity (35.33% compared to the control) and vitamin C (48.45% compared to the control). Based on the results obtained from this research, cinnamic acid increased phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme activity, which led to a significant increase in the antioxidant characteristics such as total phenol (22.83% and 26.15% in 2018 and 2019, respectively), total anthocyanin (75.21% and 66.63% in 2018 and 2019, respectively) and total flavonoid (37.66%) compared to the control. Therefore, foliar application of 10 mM cinnamic acid before harvesting is suggested to improve the bioactive compounds and increase the nutritional quality of pomegranate fruit.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Extended Abstract

Introduction

    Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), belonging to the Lythraceae family, originated in Iran and likely the surrounding regions. Pomegranate fruit plays an important role in maintaining human health due to its high antioxidant content. Biostimulants are natural and ecological friendly compounds that enhance product quality by stimulating plant physiological processes such as mineral absorption, efficiency of mineral consumption and tolerance to abiotic stresses. The phenylpropanoid pathway is an important pathway in the plant's secondary metabolism and produces a group of phenolic compounds, including lignins, phenolic acids and flavonoids, which have structural and defensive roles. Cinnamic acid is one of the important phenolic acids, extracted from cinnamon bark and is generally used as a food supplement. Cinnamic acid in high concentrations affects all the main physiological processes of the plant, such as mineral absorption, plant water status, seed germination, membrane peroxidation and oxidative stress, photosynthesis, root growth, carbon flow, respiration, and hormone activity. Therefore, the use of biostimulants as compounds of natural origin and compatible with nature can increase the quality of horticultural products.

 

Materials and Methods

    The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foliar application of cinnamic acid on improving the nutritional quality of pomegranate fruit. This experiment was carried out in a commercial pomegranate orchard in Lai Hana village, Neyriz city, Fars province, on 15-year-old pomegranate trees of Rabab-e Neyriz cultivar in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cinnamic acid was applied in four concentrations (0, 1, 5 and 10 mM), and at three stages (20, 40 and 60 days before harvest). This experiment was conducted during the years 2019 and 2020.  The fruits were harvested at the time of commercial ripening. Those free from physical damage, pests and diseases were selected and transported to the laboratory to measure the desired traits.

 

Results and Discussion

    Foliar application of cinnamic acid in the pre-harvest stage had a significant effect on the quality traits (total soluble solids, titratable acidity and vitamin C) and bioactive compounds (total phenol, total flavonoid and anthocyanins) of pomegranate fruits in both years of the experiment. The results showed that cinnamic acid treatment increased the amount of total soluble solids (TSS) (8.44% compared to the control), titratable acidity (TA) (35.33% compared to the control), vitamin C (48.45% compared to the control) and antioxidant content. Phenolic compounds such as cinnamic acid affect plant growth by influencing various processes such as photosynthesis, enzyme activity and hormones, which in turn lead to an increase in the accumulation of carbohydrates and organic acids. The increase in the amount of vitamin C in the treated fruits with cinnamic acid can be attributed to salicylic acid by affecting the galactose pathway and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Cinnamic acid application in this study increased phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, which led to a significant increase in the amount of total phenol, total flavonoid and total anthocyanin content compared to the control. The PAL enzyme is the key enzyme for regulating and synthesizing phenolic compounds. Therefore, it seems that the application of cinnamic acid as a substance of the phenylpropanoid pathway increased the production of total phenol content, total flavonoid content and anthocyanins. Cinnamic acid can increase the absorption of potassium by affecting the auxin pathway, and potassium can stimulate the production of anthocyanins by affecting the activity of the enzymes involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway. One of the most important biological characteristics of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins is their antioxidant capacity. Cinnamic acid is one of the phenolic acids that, when used externally, improves the antioxidant system and reduces damage caused by environmental stresses.

 

Conclusion

    The application of cinnamic acid improved the quality characteristics and bioactive compounds studied, compared to the control. According to the results, with the increase in cinnamic acid concentration, pomegranate fruits showed higher TSS and TA. Foliar spraying of cinnamic acid had a positive effect on the antioxidant system, such as vitamin C. Additionally, with the increase in PAL enzyme activity, the amount of phenolic compounds, flavonoid content and anthocyanins also increased in the treated fruits. Based on the results of this study, the foliar application of 10 mM cinnamic acid at 20, 40 and 60 days before harvesting resulted in pomegranate fruits with higher quality and more bioactive compounds. Therefore, cinnamic acid as a biostimulant is a promising strategy and can be used in commercial pomegranate orchards.

References

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Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Volume 55, Issue 2
August 2024
Pages 257-272

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 November 2023
  • Revise Date: 03 February 2024
  • Accept Date: 14 February 2024

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