Application of Organic Nanofibers to Boost Specialized Metabolite Production and Antioxidant Potential in Stevia rebaudiana In Vitro Cultures

<b>Background:</b> Potential advantages for improving plant growth, stress tolerance, and valuable metabolites generation are provided by the implementation of nanotechnology into plant biotechnology. A recently discovered technique with significant promise for agricultural practices is the use of biopolymer-based nanomaterials, like peptidomimetics, as insecticides, growth regulators, and nutrient carriers. This study explores the impact of biopolymer-based organic nanofibers-specifically peptidomimetics formed through the self-assembly of L-valine and nicotinic acid (NA) (denoted as M6) on <i>Stevia rebaudiana</i> in vitro propagation and specialized metabolite production. The central hypothesis was that such nanofibers, particularly when used as hormone carriers, can beneficially influence plant morphology, physiology, and biochemistry, thereby promoting the synthesis of antioxidant compounds with therapeutic potential. <b>Methods:</b> The nanofibers were tested either alone (M6) or as carriers of the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (M6+IAA), supplemented to the cultivation MS medium at variable concentrations (0, 1, 10, and 50 mg L^-1). <b>Results:</b> The results revealed that treatment with 10 mg L^-1 M6 significantly enhanced shoot growth parameters, including the highest fresh weight (0.249 g), mean shoot height (9.538 cm), shoot number (1.95), and micropropagation rate. Plants treated with M6 alone outperformed those treated with M6+IAA in terms of shoot growth, total soluble sugars, and steviol glycoside content. Conversely, M6+IAA treatment more effectively promoted root initiation, the increased accumulation of mono- and dicaffeoylquinic acids, and boosted antioxidant enzyme activity. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings highlight the potential of organic nanofibers, both with and without hormone loading, as novel tools for optimizing micropropagation and metabolite enhancement in <i>Stevia rebaudiana</i>.