In Vitro: The Extraordinary Enhancement in Rutin Accumulation and Antioxidant Activity in Philodendron "Imperial Red" Plantlets Using Ti-Mo-Ni-O Nanotubes as a Novel Elicitor.

Rutin, a flavonoid phytochemical compound, plays a vital role in human health. It is used in treating capillary fragility and has anti-Alzheimer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. In this study, Ti-Mo-Ni-O nanotubes (NTs) were used, for the first time, in an unprecedented plant biotechnology application, wherein in vitro Philodendron shoots ( Philodendron erubescens ) known as "Imperial Red" were targeted for rutin accumulation. The antioxidant responses and the accumulation of rutin were evaluated in treated Philodendron erubescens ( P. erubescens ) shoots using 5.0 mg/L of Ti-Mo-Ni-O NTs. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were estimated, and an ABTS + assay, FRAP assay, and iron metal chelation assay were performed. The application of Ti-Mo-Ni-O NTs enhanced the rutin content considerably from 0.02 mg/g to 2.96 mg/g for dry-weight shootlet extracts. Therefore, the use of Ti-Mo-Ni-O NTs is proposed to be a superior alternative to elevate the rutin content. The aim of the current study is to target P. erubescens shoots grown in vitro for the accumulation of rutin compounds using Ti-Mo-Ni-O NT powder, to determine the quantitative and qualitative accumulation of rutin via HPLC-DAD analysis, and to estimate the antioxidant activity of P. erubescens shoot extract. This study presents a novel methodology for utilizing nano-biotechnology in the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites.