Melatonin and hemin co-application reprograms lipolysis, oleosin accumulation and H(2)S metabolism in NaCl-stressed sunflower seedlings.

Co-application of melatonin and hemin significantly enhances lipolysis and H2S metabolism in NaCl-stressed sunflower seedlings, promoting faster oil body degradation.

• Why it matters: Salt stress impairs seed germination and lipid mobilization, reducing seedling longevity, and understanding how to improve stress tolerance is vital for crop resilience and productivity.
• What they did: The study investigated the combined effects of melatonin and hemin on lipid mobilization, proteolytic activity, and H2S metabolism in NaCl-stressed sunflower cotyledons, using enzyme activity assays, electrophoretic analysis, and microscopic techniques.
• The result: Results showed that co-application reversed salt-induced reductions in lipolytic enzyme activity, increased H2S accumulation, and up-regulated a 43 kDa L-cysteine desulfhydrase isoform, suggesting improved lipid mobilization and salt tolerance.