The influence of preparation material residues in wastewater and soil on plants has been paid more and more attention by researchers. Secondary metabolites play an important role in the application of plants. It was found that nanomaterials can increase the content of plant secondary metabolites in addition to their role in pharmaceutical preparations. For example, 800 mg/kg copper oxide nanoparticles (NPs) increased the content of p-coumaric acid in cucumber by 225 times. Nanoparticles can cause oxidative stress in plants, increase signal molecule, and upregulate the synthase gene expression, increasing the content of secondary metabolites. The increase of components such as polyphenols and total flavonoids may be related to oxidative stress. This paper reviews the application and mechanism of metal nanomaterials (Ag-NP, ZnO-NP, CeO2-NP, Cds-NP, Mn-NP, CuO-NP) in promoting the synthesis of secondary metabolites from plants. In addition, the effects of some other preparative materials (cyclodextrins and immobilized molds) on plant secondary metabolites are also involved. Finally, possible future research is discussed.
Keywords: cyclodextrin; immobilized mold; metal nanoparticles; preparation materials; secondary metabolism.