Research in Plant Metabolites

Research in Plant Metabolites

Evaluation of the Effects of Carbon Nanotubes and GABA on Biochemical Properties and Starch Accumulation in Cucurbita Fruits

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Vahid Alizadeh-Tazekandi 1
موسی ترابی گیگلو 2
Asghar Estaji 1
Rasoul Heydarnajad Giglou 1
1 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili , Ardabil, Iran.
2 Dept. of Horticultural sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
10.22034/jrpsm.2025.520784.1068
Abstract
Research on the effect of nanoparticles and amino acids on the biochemical and morphological characteristics of plants is of particular importance as a key factor in improving the quality of agricultural products. This study investigates the effect of the combined treatment of GABA and carbon nanotubes on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of pumpkin fruits (Ardabil ecotype). The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design over time with three replications. The treatments studied included GABA at concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/L, carbon nanotubes at two concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/L, and a control group. Sampling of the fruits was carried out 20, 40, and 60 days after flowering, during which fruit samples were randomly selected, and the levels of carbohydrates and starch, total phenols, and total flavonoids were analyzed. The results showed that the length and diameter of the fruits increased 60 days after flowering, with the highest values of these two indices observed in plants treated with carbon nanotubes at a 1 mg/L. Additionally, the thickness of the fruit flesh increased, while the thickness of the skin decreased. The total carbohydrate and phenol content were also influenced by the treatments, with the highest total phenol content recorded in fruits treated with carbon nanotubes at a concentration of 1 mg (1.17 mg/g DW) and the lowest in the control samples (0.59 mg/g DW). Furthermore, the flavonoid content in fruits treated with GABA at a concentration of 1 mg/L reached its maximum (3.12 mg/g DW), while it decreased at a concentration of 2 mg/L of carbon nanotubes.
Keywords
Antioxidants
carbohydrates
fruit growth stages
Total phenol content