Evaluación de la producción de fenoles, flavonoides y antioxidantes en sistemas biotecnológicos de pitahaya (Hylocereus megalanthus) con metil jasmonato

Abstract

This research evaluates the effects of methyl jasmonate as a plant stress inducer on the production of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity in cellular biotechnological systems of pitahaya (Hylocereus megalanthus). Stress was induced at different concentrations of 0, 50 and 150 micromolar methyl jasmonate at time intervals of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The results showed with 50 micromolar a continuous maximum phenol production until day 28 with 137,639 equivalents of gallic acid, while 150 micromolar achieved a phenol production of 126,087 equivalents of gallic acid at 28 days. In flavonoid production, 150 micromolar showed the fastest increase, 121,562 quercetin equivalents in 14 days. In antioxidant capacity, 150 micromolar MeJa elicited the highest initial response, 89.518 percent inhibition of DPPH within 14 days. This study concludes that, for industrial applications aimed at both growth and the production of bioactive compounds, the treatment of pitahaya cells with 50 micromolar methyl jasmonate is optimal, since they provide a balance between progressive growth and greater production of metabolites. Alternatively, higher concentrations such as 150 micromolar methyl jasmonate can be used for rapid compound production despite reduced cell growth. The findings provide valuable information for laboratory processes at industrial levels, depending on specific production objectives and as a contribution to the limited research of these compounds in plant cell suspensions.