Effect of silver nanoparticles on phenolic compounds production and biological activities in hairy root cultures of Cucumis anguria.

The present study describes the elicitor effect of silver ion (Ag⁺) and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to enhance the biomass accumulation and phenolic compound production as well as biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer) in genetically transformed root (hairy root) cultures of Cucumis anguria. The biomass of hairy root cultures was significantly increased by AgNPs whereas decreased in Ag⁺ elicitation at 1 and 2 mg/L. AgNPs-elicited hairy roots produced a significantly higher amount of individual phenolic compounds (flavonols, hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids), total phenolic and flavonoid contents than Ag⁺-elicited hairy roots. Moreover, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities were significantly higher following AgNPs-elicitation compared with that in Ag⁺-elicited hairy roots. We suggest that AgNPs could be an efficient elicitor in hairy root cultures to increase the phytochemical production.