Impact of biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles in the micropropagation and phytochemical elicitation of Aristolochia krisagathra Sivar. & Pradeep

The present investigatation tried to investigate the efficiency of biologically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in the culture establishment and phytochemical elicitation in Aristolochia krisagathra Sivar. & Pradeep. Biosynthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using UV-Visible spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM). The UV–Vis spectra of the phytogenic ZnO NPs showed an absorption peak at about 377 nm, FTIR analysis identified the presence of functional groups associated with the synthesis of ZnO NPs from A. krisagathra whereas, FE-SEM illustrated the spherical shape of ZnO NPs with an average size of 46.23 nm. The maximum plant regeneration and significant increase in total flavonoid, tannin and phenolic content were observed to be highest at 75 µg/l among all the concentrations of ZnO NPs applied. The total flavonoid, tannin and phenol content had a 2.8, 1.25 and 2.27 fold increase respectively than the control. The findings of the study indicated that optimum concentration of green synthesized ZnO NPs showed a promising role in the regeneration and elicited the bioactive compounds in A. krisagathra.