Drought-induced changes in antioxidant capacity, mineral content, and plant development in basal leafy cactus: comparisons between Pereskia aculeata miller and Pereskia bahiensis Gürke

Pereskia aculeata is known for its high levels of proteins, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, qualifying it as an unconventional food. In contrast, the nutritional potential of P. bahiensis remains much less explored. Drought and defense-related bioregulators like salicylic acid (SA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) can influence plant composition and antioxidant responses, but their effects on Pereskia species are still unclear. This study aimed to assess the growth and nutritional profiles of P. aculeata and P. bahiensis under water deficit, SA, and SNP, testing whether P. bahiensis also holds food potential and whether these treatments enhance antioxidant capacity. For this, plants were grown under two irrigation regimes: well-watered (80 % water retention capacity – WRC) and water deficit (15 % WRC for 8 days, followed by total water restriction for 16 days). Additionally, plants were foliar sprayed with 100 μM SA, 100 μM SNP, or water (control). P. bahiensis exhibited greater phenolic compounds content and antioxidant capacity, but lower biomass production, and contents of sugars and minerals compared to P. aculeata. Drought increased the antioxidant capacity but decreased mineral content and biomass in the two species; while SA and SNP only affected Mn contents, not affecting the antioxidant capacity and growth. These findings highlight the great antioxidant capacity of P. bahiensis, surpassing that of P. aculeata, which underscores its potential as a nutraceutical plant. Moreover, water deficit can be used as a strategy to improve antioxidant capacity of both species, while SA and SNP treatments have no effects in their quality.