Insights on the Adaptation of Foeniculum vulgare Mill to Iron Deficiency

Iron (Fe) deficiency causes great disturbances to plant growth, productivity and metabolism. This study investigated the effect of bicarbonate-induced Fe on Foeniculum vulgare (Mill) nutrient uptake, accumulation secondary metabolites impact bioactivities. When grown under indirect conditions (+Fe +Bic), plants decreased their total mass, an that was clearly evident in shoots (?28%). Instead, roots were main organ affected regarding variations phenolic profile respective functionalities. Hydromethanolic extracts from bicarbonate-treated had a remarkable increase levels compounds, both flavonoids (isoquercetin isorhamnetin) acids (gallic acid, chlorogenic syringic ferulic caffeic acid trans-cinnamic acid), when compared equivalent control plants. In addition, they exhibited higher scavenging abilities DPPH•, NO•, RO2•, as well inhibitory capacities towards activity lipoxygenase (LOX), xanthine oxidase (XO) acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The overall results suggest fennel species may modulate metabolism fight damages caused by iron deficiency.