Elicitation of Biomass and Secondary Metabolite Production, Antioxidative and Antimicrobial Potential of Basil and Oregano Induced by BA and IBA Application

Elicitation effects of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and benzyladenine (BA) on oregano and basil shoots were investigated through analysis of photosynthetic pigments content, biomass production, quantification of total phenols, flavonoids, flavanols and proanthocyanidins content. Also antioxidative and antimicrobial potential of extracts were assessed. Biomass production varied significantly among two species and treatments. Auxin induced decrease of chlorophyll levels. Accumulation of phenols was noticed in basil shoots when BA was applied in low concentrations, while in oregano high BA concentrations induced phenol accumulation. Flavonoids accumulation was noticed for 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L of BA as well for 2.0 and 4.0 mg/L BA in combination with 0.1 mg/L IBA in basil shoots. Addition of IBA induced accumulation of flavonoids in oregano shoots only when equal concentration of BA and IBA was applied. Flavanols content decreased by addition of IBA for basil shoots as well as for oregano. Small concentrations of auxins stimulated antioxidative response in oregano shoots. Elicitation of secondary metabolites resulted in elevation of antimicrobial potential of oregano adventive shoots when BA was applied.