In this study, researchers investigated the effects of plasma-activated water (PAW), melatonin, and nano-zinc on the production of secondary metabolites in Cannabis sativa. They treated C. sativa plants cultivated in a greenhouse with PAW, melatonin, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO), either individually or in combination. Following the simultaneous treatment of zinc oxide and melatonin, PAW was used as irrigation water on the plants under greenhouse conditions. The content and composition of secondary metabolites in the plant leaves were then analyzed.
After two weeks and harvesting the plant tissues, the secondary metabolites of the seedlings were measured in leaves. Researchers found that the combined treatments of PAW, melatonin, and nZnO resulted in the highest increase of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and terpenoids (CBD and THC). The enhancement of secondary metabolites was associated with higher relative leaf water content, membrane stability index, total chlorophyll content, and nitrogenous compounds.
Moreover, the combined treatment increased the growth parameters of Cannabis sativa, such as shoots and roots length, and shoots and roots' fresh and dry weight. This indicates a higher potential for pharmacological and agricultural applications. Their results suggest that PAW, melatonin, and nZnO can act synergistically to enhance the production of secondary metabolites in Cannabis sativa, by modulating the plant's physiological and biochemical mechanisms.
The results of this research provide a new understanding of the regulation and optimization of the secondary metabolism pathway of Cannabis sativa by these factors. It also has several implications for optimizing the cultivation and production of cannabis, offering insights into how these treatments can be applied to improve the yield and quality of the plant's pharmacologically active compounds.
Oloumi, Hakimeh & Nasibi, Fatemeh & Poorsheikhali, Zakie & Malekpourzadeh, Leila. (2024). Changes on growth and secondary metabolite production in Cannabis sativa L. by simultaneous treatment of plasma activated water, melatonin and nano-zinc. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4898263/v1.
Read the full study on ResearchGate.