Untitled

Abstract

Two species of Riccia, namely Riccia billardieri and Riccia discolor, were studied to detect various amino acids qualitatively as well as quantitatively through HPLC. Seven amino acids (histidine, serine, tryptophan, asparagine, tyrosine, valine, and isoleucine) were observed to be common in both the species but varying significantly in their quantities. Riccia billardieri contained additionally four (lysine, glycine, cystine, and proline) amino acids and Riccia discolor one (glutamine) amino acid. The contents of histidine (0.597 mg g-1 dw) and asparagine (0.323 mg g-1 dw) were found higher in Riccia billardieri, but the concentrations of tryptophan (0.927 mg g-1 dw), serine (0.169 mg g-1 dw), tyrosine (0.024 mg g-1 dw), valine (0.394 mg g-1 dw) and isoleucine (1.770 mg g-1 dw) were higher in Riccia discolor. The value of asparagine was almost similar in both the species. In Riccia billardieri the concentration of histidine (0.597 mg g-1 dw) was observed maximum, whereas in Riccia discolor isoleucine (1.770 mg g-1 dw) was found in the highest amount. The presence of amino acids indicates the potential use of Riccia in the pharmaceutical and food industry. INTRODUCTION: Liverworts are known to have oil bodies, which consist of active chemical compounds. They produce several secondary metabolites such as diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and aromatic compounds 1. Bryophytes consist of many biological compounds like sugars, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, alcohols, fatty acids, aliphatic compounds, aromatic and phenolic substances 2. Traditionally, bryophytes were used to treat wounds, skin diseases, cuts and burns 3, 4. Riccia is a genus of thallose liverworts in the order Marchantiales and the family Ricciaceae.