Effect of Methanol and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Phytochemical Properties of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.)

Extended Abstract Introduction and Objective: In recent years, studies have focused on the use of new compounds that can be synthesized inside the plant and increase the photosynthetic efficiency of the plant. Some of these compounds include micronutrients and alcohols. Alcohols such as methanol as a carbon source will increase photosynthetic efficiency and improve plant growth parameters. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles also improve and repair the photosynthetic apparatus in the plant and thus increase the photosynthetic efficiency. For this reason, this study investigates methanol and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the phytochemical properties of artichoke. Material and Methods: In order to investigate the foliar application of methanol and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on artichoke, an experimental factorial design based on randomized complete blocks with 4 levels for each of the 2 methanol factors (0, 15, 30 and 45% by volume) and Anatase of titanium dioxide (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg. l-1) was performed in 3 replications in 2019 and 2020. Measured traits included photosynthetic pigments, phenol, flavonoids and antioxidant activity over two years. Results: Based on the results, the interaction of treatments for all studied traits in both years of the study was statistically significant at the level of 1%. The highest amount of chlorophyll a, b and whole leaves in the first year of zero volume treatment of methanol + 20 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles and in the second year of leaves from 45% volume treatment of methanol + 40 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles was obtained. In the first year, 30% volumetric treatment of methanol + zero mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles and in the second year, 15% volumetric treatment of methanol + zero mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles with 218.75 and 192.85% increase, respectively, compared to control had the highest carotenoid levels. The highest amount of first year leaf flavonoids was observed in zero volume treatment of methanol + 20 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles which was not significantly different from zero volume methanol + 60 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The highest amount of flavonoid in the second year leaves was obtained from the treatment of 45% by volume of methanol + 40 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles with 284.61% increase in control ratio. The highest amount of first year leaf phenol from the interaction of 15% volumetric methanol + 20 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles The highest amount of second year leaf phenol from the interaction of 45% volumetric methanol + 20 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles, respectively with 73.15 and 216.91% increase in control ratio were seen. The highest amount of antioxidant activity in the first year was zero volume methanol + 20 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles and 30% methanol + zero mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles with 32.16% increase compared to the control Allocated. In the second year, the treatment of 45% by volume of methanol + 40 mg.l-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles with the highest increase of 16.24% compared to the control had the highest free radical scavenging power. Conclusion: According to the results, the combined use of methanol as a carbon source and nanoparticles of titanium dioxide can be useful in improving the phytochemical properties of artichoke.