title: Enhancement of Calibrachoa growth, secondary metabolites and bioactivity using seaweed extracts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Calibrachoa x hybrida (Solanaceae) cultivars are widely used in North and South America as ornamental plants. Their potential as a source of antimicrobial compounds might be enhanced by seaweed extract (SWE) applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  SWE of Ascophyllum nodosum were applied at 5 and 7 ml/L as a soil drench or foliar spray on Calibrachoa cultivars of Superbells® 'Dreamsicle' (CHSD) and Superbells® 'Frost Fire' (CHSF). The total phenolics, tannins and antioxidants composition as well as specific flavonols in leaf extracts were determined. Further, the chemical composition of SWE was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The drench and foliar SWE treatments significantly enhanced Calibrachoa cultivars leaf number and area, dry weight, plant height, antioxidant capacity as well as phenolic, flavonols and tannin content. The increased growth and composition of phenols, flavonols and tannins was attributed to the stimulatory effects of SWE mineral composition. The antifungal activity of Calibrachoa cultivars was significantly enhanced following SWE treatments and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were in the range of 0.07-0.31 mg/ml and from 0.16 to 0.56 mg/ml, respectively. Moreover, antibacterial activity was significantly increased and the MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) measurements were in the range of 0.06-0.23 mg/ml and from 0.10 to 0.44 mg/ml, respectively. The most sensitive fungus to SWE treatments was C. albicans and the most sensitive bacterium was E. cloacae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that enhanced antifungal and antibacterial activities might be attributed to significant increases of phenolic, flavonols and tannin contents, which ultimately enhance the potential of Calibrachoa as a natural source of alternative antibiotics.
authors: Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada. hosammail2003@yahoo.com.|Department of Floriculture, Ornamental Horticulture and Garden Design, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. hosammail2003@yahoo.com.
authors: Hosam O
authors: HO
authors: Elansary
authors: Acadian Seaplants Limited, 30 Brown Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors: Jeff
authors: J
authors: Norrie
authors: Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.|Timber Trees Research Department, Sabahia Horticulture Research Station, Agriculture Research Center, Horticulture Research Institute, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors: Hayssam M
authors: HM
authors: Ali
authors: Forestry and Wood Technology Department, Faculty of Agriculture (EL-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors: Mohamed Z M
authors: MZ
authors: Salem
authors: Department of Food Technology, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt.
authors: Eman A
authors: EA
authors: Mahmoud
authors: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida campus, Florida, 1710, South Africa.
authors: Kowiyou
authors: K
authors: Yessoufou
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012624:Seaweed / Q000737:chemistry*; D019657:Solanaceae / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antibacterial; Antifungal; Antioxidants; Calibrachoa; Seaweed extract