Mycorrhizal Influence on Metabolite Constituents and Analysis of Phytochemicals by GC-MS in Stevia Rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni

Abstract

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are recognized to enhance the secondary metabolites in plants through symbiosis that maximizes the qualitative and quantitative metabolites in medicinal plants. In the present study more than 29 different types of compounds were detected by untargeted Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Main components analysis clearly distinguished untreated roots of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni from roots treated either singly or in combination of three different AMF species (Funneliformis mosseae, Glomus macrocarpum, and Gigaspora margarita). The S. rebaudiana plants showed the highest level of metabolites like terpenoids, lipids and mineral nutrition in the mycorrhizal ones as compared to non-mycorrhizal ones. The phytochemical changes in the AMF infected plants in comparison to their respective controls by GC-MS analysis reported with higher levels of Terpenoids. The identified and quantified of measured active compounds was correlated with the expected influenced root colonization for the enhanced quantity of phytochemicals. The findings depicted that the mediated AMF improved the nutrient content and secondary metabolites in S. rebaudiana plants and may be used as an approaching source of important drugs in the field of pharmacology. It is concluded that AMF showed increase in phytochemical content and high N and P rates for root colonization in Stevia rebaudiana plant.