Plant microbiome-dependent immune enhancing action of Echinacea purpurea is enhanced by soil organic matter content.

ABSTRACT: We previously demonstrated that extracts from Echinacea purpurea material varied substantially in their ability to activate macrophages in vitro and that this variation was due to differences in their content of bacterial components. The purpose of the current study was to identify soil conditions (organic matter, nitrogen, and moisture content) that alter the macrophage activation potential of E. purpurea and determine whether these changes in activity correspond to shifts in the plant-associated microbiome. Increased levels of soil organic matter significantly enhanced macrophage activation exhibited by the root extracts of E. purpurea (p < 0.0001). A change in soil organic matter content from 5.6% to 67.4% led to a 4.2-fold increase in the macrophage activation potential of extracts fro

SUBMITTER: Haron MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6333828 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature