Ostaci, ȘtefănicaMarta, Alina-ElenaJităreanu, Carmenica-Doina2026-09-252026-09-252026-06-242784-0379https://repository.iuls.ro/handle/20.500.12811/7032Momordica charantia L. (bitter cucumber) is a species of interest due to its nutritional value and remarkable nutraceutical properties. Natural biostimulants, such as those based on seaweed extracts, can help improve plant physiological processes by stimulating germination, metabolism, and stress tolerance. This study examined the effect of the seaweed-based biostimulant Algevit (0.5%) on five genotypes of M. charantia compared with an untreated control condition. First, seed germination was monitored, and then biochemical changes induced by the biostimulant, including the vitamin A (β-carotene), total phenolic, and soluble protein contents were determined. The biostimulant reduced the germination time and increased all three analysed biochemical parameters compared with the control, with the most pronounced effect observed for the vitamin A (β-carotene) content and the Line 1 genotype, with an increase from 3.95 to 8.19 μg/mL, confirming the effectiveness of Algevit.EnglishAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Ascophyllum nodosumbiostimulantscarotenoidsgerminationvitamin AMomordica charantia L.bitter cucumberArticle2784-0360https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-591208