We are pleased to announce that members of the ARACNE project from the Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, have published a scientific article entitled “Copper Sulfate Elicitation Effect on Biomass Production, Phenolic Compounds Accumulation, and Antioxidant Activity of Morus nigra L. Stem Node Culture”. The article is published in the journal Plants MDPI (IF = 4.0; Q1 “Plant Sciences”), Special Issue Multifunctionality of Phenolic Compounds in Plants, 2nd Edition and is available online at the following links:
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/5/766
The authors of the article Jan Senekovič, Špela Jelen and Andreja Urbanek Krajnc studied the effect of elicitation of stem node culture of Morus nigra L. with copper sulfate on the biosynthesis of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The results show a significantly increased content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in cultures treated with higher levels of copper sulfate and highlight that Morus nigra nodal culture treated with copper sulfate is particularly suitable for the elicitation of chlorogenic acid, which exhibits strong antioxidant properties and is of interest in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries.
Considering the biochemical response of Morus nigra to increased Cu levels in the stem node culture, we can conclude that mulberry responds well to copper-induced stress. Consequently, its phytoremediation potential should be further explored, especially given that soil contamination with Cu remains one of the major environmental challenges in agricultural ecosystems.
The findings presented in the article will also contribute to the ongoing research within the ARACNE project, particularly in exploring innovative applications of mulberries in agriculture and landscape restoration. We invite you to read the article.