enhancing aloe vera growth and secondary metabolite production using an alternating magnetic field

A magnetic field can be used as a physical elicitor to increase secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. in this research, the effects of alternating magnetic stress on the production of flavonoids and growth parameters of aloe vera were studied. the number of weeks, magnetic flux density, and exposure time are effective parameters that have been changed in this experiment. to apply an alternating magnetic field, a system was designed and built, including a helm holtz coil, auto-transformer, multi-meter, and tesla meter. control samples were grown without a magnetic field. all samples were kept in a growth chamber at a temperature of 24 ± 2 °c and a 16-hour light, 8-hour dark photoperiod. a factorial experiment based on rcd was used to test magnetic field effects on selected traits. according to the obtained results, the magnetic field was effective in secondary metabolite production. 38.44 mg/g dw flavonoid was produced with a flux density of 1.5 mt and 45 min daily exposure times for two weeks. the maximum number of leaves was observed in 0.5 mt and 135 min per day exposure times. in addition, the tallest plant was produced after three weeks with 0.5 mt. the week, exposure time, and magnetic flux density have a second-order interaction. depending on various factors, the magnetic field can be harmful or beneficial for aloe vera. in order to achieve the desired result, the optimum field should be used.