Photon flux density and wavelength influence on growth, photosynthetic pigments and volatile organic compound accumulation in Aeollanthus suaveolens (Catinga-de-mulata) under in vitro conditions

Abstract

Aeollanthus suaveolens Mart. ex Spreng. (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic plant of African origin and is widely used in folk medicine due to its anticonvulsant and sedative effects. The aim of the study was to establish whether photon flux density (PFD) and wavelength, provided by light emitting diodes (LEDs), affect plantlet growth, photosynthetic pigment, and volatile organic compound (VOC) accumulation in Aeollanthus suaveolens. Nodal segments were grown under different PFDs (20, 57, 78, 102 and 139 μmol m−2 s−1) obtained with white LEDs lamps and under different LEDs light spectra as follows: white, green, yellow, blue, red, and combinations of red and blue (2.5R:1B; 1R:2.5B; 1R:1B) and cool white fluorescent lamps. The different light intensities affected the growth and production of photosynthetic pigments and volatile organic compounds. Plantlets grown under a PFD of 139 μmol m−2 s−1 showed greater dry weight accumulation and growth than those raised under other PFDs. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents increased with a PFD of 20 μmol m−2 s−1. Light quality also affected plantlet growth. White LEDs light and fluorescent light were equally effective for growth and dry weight accumulation. Monochromatic red, blue, and yellow lights inhibited growth in Aeollanthus suaveolens. The concentrations of photosynthetic pigments from A. suaveolens plantlets were significantly affected by different wavelengths. Yellow wavelengths favored the production of photosynthetic pigments. The accumulation of VOCs was influenced by PFD and spectral quality.