Variability in phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidants in Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed from nine trans-Himalayan natural population

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Seabuckthorn (SBT) has recently gained worldwide attention for its medicinal and nutritional potential. Many of the claims associated with SBT are related to its phenolics and antioxidants. OBJECTIVE:The work aimed at studying the variability and genotypic effects on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in seed. METHOD: Seed extracts of nine natural population of SBT (122 plants) were studied for TPC, TFC and TAC content. RESULTS: SBT seed were found to be rich in TPC ranging from 32 to 208 mg gallic acid equivalent/g DW. Flavonoid content ranged from 8 to 38 mg quercetin equivalent/g of DW. The free radical-scavenging activity in terms of inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) ranged from 0.3 to 9.2 mg/ml and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) from 11 to 97 mmol Fe (II)/g. CONCLUSION: A variation of 1-6.5 fold in TPC, 1-4.7 fold variation in TFC, 1-8.8 fold in ferric reducing antioxidant potential and, 1-30.6 folds in IC 50 by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay among the examined seeds across nine populations underlines the important role played by genetic background and the geographical location for determining the health promoting compounds.

Influence of climate variation on phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of Medicago minima populations

“…We distinguished the twelve populations selected from various climate environments in Tunisia with PCA based on phenolic profiles. Consistent with other studies, our finding suggests that the variation of the TPC and TFC among populations is not associated with geographic distance, but it can be related to their natural environments 11,47 . Therefore, it is important to note that in different plant organs there may be differences in the phenolic response to environmental stress 47,48 .…”

“…Thus, the phenolic composition of each plant organ varies with climate adaptation. Like many other studies, ours results underscore the important heterogeneity of genetic resources, environmental adaptation and geographical location in the distribution of the phenolic compounds in plants 46,47,60 . Therefore, there is strong evidence that the variation in the secondary metabolite production and composition, and their potential activity among M. minima populations, could be due to an environmental adaptation process 56,60,61 .…”

“…Usually, TFC could differentiates populations of the arid land from those of the semi-arid. Based on the literature, flavonoids are present in most plant seeds as secondary metabolites 41,47 . These compounds defend the seeds from pathogens and predators and participate in seed maturation and dormancy 57 .…”

Brief Challenges on Medicinal Plants: An Eye‐Opening Look at Ageing‐Related Disorders

“…All the plant parts contain more than 190 bioactive substances, including flavonoids, phenols, carotenoids, vitamins (A, E, K, C, B1, B2, B9), pigments, fatty acids (ω3, ω 6, ω 7, ω 9), organic acids, tocopherols, terpenes, sterols, tannins, minerals and other trace elements with antioxidant properties . The variability in antioxidants, flavonoids and phenolics present in sea buckthorn seeds was observed across nine Himalayan populations’ underlines, highlighting the determinant effect of geographical location and genetic factors to the chemical composition and subsequent identification of the health‐promoting responsible compounds . Leaves, seeds and fruits of sea buckthorn have shown to exhibit diverse therapeutic and pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti‐atherogenic, cardioprotective, wound healing and antistress properties .…”

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

“…The influence of plant genetic background on TPC, TAC and total flavonoid content (TFC) in SBT seed was demonstrated by Dolkar 22 , et al in nine natural population of SBT (122 plants). Significant variation is found within and between the natural populations.…”