Influence of Agronomic Practices on the Antioxidant Activity of Three Mediterranean Officinal Wild Plants: Silybum marianum, Achillea millefolium, and Trifolium pratense
Source abstract
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of various agronomic factors on plant growth and the accumulation of secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties. The three Mediterranean Officinal Wild Plants selected for this investigation were Silybum marianum, Achillea millefolium, and Trifolium pratense whose extracts, enriched in phenolic compounds, are well documented for their potential therapeutic effects. Three agronomic factors were evaluated, each with two treatment options, resulting in eight experimental combinations: (1) inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) versus control (no inoculation); (2) high versus low fertilization rates of K₂O and P₂O₅ to modulate nutrient availability; (3) water stress at 40% of field capacity compared to the control with full field capacity. Plant growth was monitored using the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemical industry) scale to delineate key phenological phases, with treatments applied until the flowering stage was reached. Only the leaves of the plants were collected, and hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared for the evaluation of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using the FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays. These assays were selected due to their complementary insights into the chemical mechanisms underlying TAC, as well as their ability to assess the physicochemical characteristics of the phytochemical constituents.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Silymarin and Mushroom Poisoning · Heavy Metals in Plants · Selenium in Biological Systems
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
Funding
PhytoMuscleBone
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