Exogenous phytohormones increase the accumulation of health-promoting metabolites, and influence the expression patterns of biosynthesis related genes and biological activity in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa spp. pekinensis)

• JA, SA, ABA and ETH increases the GSLs, phenolic compounds and biological activity.
• Chlorophyll and carotenoid levels were higher in ABA and SA eliciting plants.
• Anthocyanin content increased after JA, SA, ABA, and ETH treatment.
• Elicited plants showed up-regulated gene-expression of metabolite biosynthesis.

The effects of jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA) and ethephon (ETH) on glucosinolate (GSL), carotenoid, chlorophyll, anthocyanin and polyphenolic contents, and the gene regulation of biosynthesis and biological activities were investigated in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa spp. pekinensis) plants. JA, SA, ABA and ETH significantly increased indole, aliphatic and aromatic GSL contents. Individual phenols, total polyphenols and biological activities substantially increased in JA, SA, ABA and ETH treated plants. Lutein and β-carotene contents were higher after ABA and SA treatment. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents considerably increased after ABA treatment and anthocyanin content increased after JA, SA, ABA, and ETH treatment. Plants treated with exogenous JA, SA, ABA and ETH showed significant increases in the expression of genes related to phytochemical production. These results demonstrated that JA, SA, ABA, and ETH significantly increased phytochemical contents and enhanced biological activity in Chinese cabbage plants.