Abstract

This trial had been carried out in Maryout region, Alexandria Governorate. The study explored the impact of utilizing nanoparticles of magnetite (NPs) and calcium pyruvate as a source of pyruvate alone or in association with magnetic NPs at various concentrations on stevia plants. The investigation’s treatments were control, pyruvate 100 mg/L, pyruvate 200 mg/L, magnetic NPs 0.5 mg/L, magnetic NPs 1.0 mg/L, pyruvate 100 mg/L@ magnetic NPs 0.5 mg/L, pyruvate 100 mg/L@ magnetic NPs 1.0 mg/L, pyruvate 200 mg/L@ magnetic NPs 0.5 mg/L, and pyruvate 200 mg/L@ magnetic NPs 1.0 mg/L. The results proved that all treatments, including the application of nanoparticles of magnetite and pyruvate alone or in combination, were superior to the control treatment regarding different quantitative and qualitative parameters. Spraying with pyruvate at 100 mg/L gave the significantly maximum weights of fresh and dry herbs, the highest concentrations of stevioside and rebaudioside A, and the highest anti-diabetic effects. It was noticed that spraying with magnetic nanoparticles improved the product’s antimicrobial and antitumor activities. In this concern, pyruvate 200 mg/L@ magnetic NPs 1.0 mg/L recorded the best traits.

Keywords: Stevia rebaudiana; Pyruvate; Magnetite nanoparticles; Stevioside; Rebaudioside A