title: Responses of Nigella sativa L. to Zinc Excess: Focus on Germination, Growth, Yield and Yield Components, Lipid and Terpene Metabolism, and Total Phenolics and Antioxidant Activities.
abstract: A comprehensive analysis of the responses of Nigella sativa L. to elevated zinc concentrations was assessed in pot experiments. Zn excess supply did not affect the germination but drastically reduced radicle elongation. A concentration-dependent reduction in all growth parameters, yield, and yield components was observed. With the increasing Zn concentrations, total lipid contents decreased and changes in fatty composition toward the production of saturated ones were underscored. Despite the reduction in the seeds essential oil yield, a redirection of the terpene metabolism toward the synthesis of oxygenated compounds has been evidenced. A significant increase in the total phenols and flavonoids contents concomitant with improved antioxidant activities has also been found. Collectively, these results highlight the possible use of N. sativa L. in phytoremediation applications, on the one hand, and that Zn excess could represent an excellent alternative to improve the nutritional attributes of this important species, on the other hand.
authors: Ecole Supérieure d'Agriculture de Mograne , 1121 Zaghouan, Tunisia.|Institut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott-Mariem , 4042 Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Marichali
authors: Ecole Supérieure d'Agriculture de Mograne , 1121 Zaghouan, Tunisia.
authors: Sana
authors: S
authors: Dallali
authors: Ecole Supérieure d'Agriculture de Mograne , 1121 Zaghouan, Tunisia.
authors: Saloua
authors: S
authors: Ouerghemmi
authors: Ecole Supérieure d'Agriculture de Mograne , 1121 Zaghouan, Tunisia.
authors: Houcine
authors: H
authors: Sebei
authors: Département Service Central d'Analyse, Institut des Sciences Analytiques , 5 rue de la Doua, Villeurbanne, 69100 Lyon, France.
authors: Hervé
authors: H
authors: Casabianca
authors: Laboratoire des Substances Naturelles, Institut National de Recherche et d'Analyse Physico-chimique (INRAP), Biotechpôle de Sidi Thabet , 2020 Ariana, Tunisia.
authors: Karim
authors: K
authors: Hosni
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018525:Germination; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D013729:Terpenes; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Nigella sativa L.; antioxidant activity; growth; lipids; secondary metabolites; zinc