Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth of biomass of Passiflora incarnata L. in response to different levels of organic fertilizer and compare the content of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and TEAC in leaves and stems. The experiment was conducted with family farmers in Botucatu (Brazil), between October 2013 and February 2014. Seedlings were grown in a greenhouse and then transplanted to the field with spacing 0.30m x 0.60m without staking and irrigated by sprinkler. The experimental design was a randomized block design with five treatments and four blocks. The organic fertilization and liming were made in the row with rabbit manure, chicken manure, organic waste and dolomitic limestone 30 days before transplanting. Leaves and stems of P. incarnata were dried in oven with air circulation at 40 °C / 48 h. The analysis of total flavonoids and polyphenols were performed according to the spectrophotometric method using the Folin-Ciocalteau reactive. Results showed that organic fertilization had a positive effect on the plant´s development, incising the biomass production (dry matter). However, the production of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, total flavonoids and the antioxidant capacity were not influenced by the effect of organic fertilization. 

Keywords: medicinal plant, passion fruit, phytochemistry, flavonoids, polyphenols, antioxidant