Differential concentrations of NaCl and K₂Cr₂O₇ stress conditions: biophoton characteristics and quality prediction feasibility analysis of fresh <i>Nepeta cataria</i> L. leaves.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Nepeta cataria L. (NcL), a perennial medicinal plant, is used to dispel wind-heat, remove blood stasis, and reduce swelling. However, soil salinization and heavy metal pollution have severely impacted its growth and quality. Current quality assessments, based solely on pulegone (PG) content in the final product, neglect cultivation process controls.

Methods

We applied biophoton detection to differentiate stress types in fresh NcL leaves and explored the correlation between biophoton emission and plant quality. Spontaneous photon emission (SPE) and delayed luminescence (DL) were measured under NaCl and K₂Cr₂O₇ stress. Key parameters, including counts per second (CPS) and initial intensity (I₀), were analyzed. PG

SUBMITTER: Wang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12648164 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature