Impact of UVC and Seaweed Extract on Betalain Content in Lepidium sativum Leaves

Abstract

The influence of both UVC radiation and water extract of Colpomenia sinuosa on betaxanthin and betacyanin as well as the total betalains in leaves of Lepidium sativum. Seeds were primed with UVC or primed in C. sinousa extract for different time intervals (1, 2, 3 and 4 h). The results reveal that UVC irradiation caused in an increase in betaxanthin, betacyanin after exposure for 1 and 2 h, then their content declined after 3 and 4 hours. The priming of L. Sativum seeds in C. sinousa enhanced the content of total betalains and then the enhancement was remarkable than that recorded in case of UVC. Therefore, the results recommend priming seeds of the medicinal plants in seaweed extract before cultivation for enhancing the secondary products and pigments.