Carbon nanotubes-mediated production of biomass and phenolic compounds in callus cultures of Fagonia indica

Carbon nanotubes have been applied recently to plants for controlling various biological activities. In this study, we used carbon nanotubes for the first time to trigger biological changes in Fagonia indica callus cultures that were either supplemented with or deprived of sugar source. We aimed to assess for the first time whether carbon-based nanomaterial could play a role in synergy with a carbon source (i.e. sugar) provided to cell cultures of plants. Cell cultures of Fagonia indica were given varying concentrations of carbon nanotubes with or without sucrose to examine their effects on biomass accumulation, phytochemical content, and antioxidant activity. Our results showed that maximum fresh (23.33 g) and dry weight (0.89 g) was produced when callus was supplemented with 10 mg/L of carbon nanotubes and 45 g/L of sucrose. Similarly, the highest total phenolic content, 235.62 µg/g (control = 111.39 µg/g), and total antioxidant capacity 292.37 µg/g (control: 51.811 µg/g) was observed in 20 days old callus added with carbon nanotubes (20 mg/L) + sucrose (45 g/L). Similarly, Maximum total flavonoid content of 157.39 µg/g (control = 96.83 µg/g) was recorded in 40 days when supplemented with carbon nanotubes (20 mg/L) + Sucrose (15 g/L). High-Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed that carbon nanotubes with a low level of sucrose had triggering effects on secondary metabolites such as Caffeic acid, Rutin, Hydroxy benzoic acid when supplied with different concentrations of carbon nanotubes and sucrose. According to these findings, carbon nanotubes combined with sucrose favoured callus growth, phytochemical synthesis, and antioxidant potential.