Acorus calamus L. (A. calamus) is a valuable medicinal plant traditionally used in Indian medicine for its therapeutic rhizomes. However, overharvesting has endangered natural populations, highlighting the need for alternative plant parts and sustainable cultivation methods. This study aimed to evaluate hydroponic cultivation as a sustainable strategy and to compare the metabolite and antibacterial profiles of hydroponically grown A. calamus roots with those of soil-grown rhizomes. Plants were cultivated using both hydroponic and soil-based systems. Growth performance was assessed, followed by LC-MS-based metabolomic profiling to identify key bioactive compounds. Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict antibacterial targets. The antibacterial activity of the root extracts was evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans. Hydroponically grown plants showed enhanced growth, including greater root biomass, compared to soil-grown plants. LC-MS analysis revealed higher concentrations of key bioactive metabolites, including allantoin, graveoline, and capnoidine, in hydroponic roots. Network pharmacology identified key antibacterial targets, including TLR4, TNF, BCL2, and HSP90AA1. Antibacterial assays demonstrated that hydroponic root extracts effectively inhibited the tested bacterial strains, with activity comparable to that of soil-grown roots. Our findings showed that hydroponic cultivation could effectively produce A. calamus roots with enhanced metabolite content and antibacterial efficacy. This approach offers a sustainable and effective method for utilising A. calamus roots as a reliable alternative for wild rhizomes.
D’Souza et al. (Fri,) studied this question.