Effect of fungal chitosan on the morphology, biochemical, and genetic changes in selected genotypes of Scutellaria barbata D. Don under in vitro conditions

Scutellaria barbata D. Don is an important plant for the phytopharmaceutical industry, and scutellarin is one of the key compounds produced in its shoots with confirmed anticancer properties. However, there is a lack of studies focused on obtaining phytochemically and genetically homogeneous, sterile plant material that is free from bacterial and fungal contamination and has a high scutellarin content. This study aimed to assess the effect of the biotic elicitor fungal chitosan, derived from Aspergillus niger, on the morphology of microcuttings, scutellarin content, concentrations of plant pigments (anthocyanins, carotenoids, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b), and selected oxidative stress biomarkers (free proline and catalase activity). Additionally, the study assessed genetic stability using Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT) molecular markers in three genotypes of S. barbata (L5, L6, and L7). The addition of chitosan from A. niger to the medium influenced the morphological features, concentrations of anthocyanins, carotenoids, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, scutellarin, and free proline content, as well as the genetic stability of S. barbata microcuttings, with the effects depending on its concentration and genotype. However, catalase activity was not affected.