The present study investigated the impact of exogenous elicitor application on enhancing chia seed quality. The application of chitosan (200 ppm) and PGPR consortia (5000 ppm) to black chia resulted in the most notable improvements. Application of chitosan improved swelling factor (12.03 cc g⁻1), fiber content (44.35 g 100 g⁻1), and oil content (36.08%). The PGPR consortia maximized α-linolenic acid (ALA) accumulation (66.74%), while methyl jasmonic acid increased protein content (33.17 g 100 g⁻1). In contrast, elicitor application to white chia exhibited a distinct response pattern. Kinetin (100 ppm) recorded the highest swelling factor (11.98 cc g⁻1), PGPR elevated protein content (34.03 g 100 g⁻1), and chitosan increased fiber (49.09 g 100 g⁻1) and oil content (35.78%). The study demonstrated a significant enhancement in the accumulation of secondary metabolites, specifically total phenols and flavonoids. In summary, the application of chitosan, PGPR consortia, and kinetin significantly improved the functional and nutraceutical qualities of both seed types.
Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04746-7.
Keywords: Fatty acids; Husk; Mucilage; Protein; Seeds.
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