Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Micromorphology and Antimicrobial Activity in Nepeta cataria L.

Abstract

The mosquito repellent Nepetalactone rich Nepeta cataria L. (catmint) plant has a variety of therapeutic and industrial potential. Reports on the genetic diversity of N. cataria germplasm are minimal globally and need attention for adding a new variety into commercial cultivation. The present study, therefore, assessed the genetic diversity among thirteen half-sib genotypes of N. cataria using agro economic and phytochemical traits. The experimental set has shown substantial variation for agro economic traits studied. Among all the studied populations, fresh herb-based essential oil content ranged from 0.1 % to 0.3 %, with a grand mean of 1.67 %. However, the estimated oil yield ranged from 44.4 kg/h to 120.73 kg/h with an average of 71.34 kg/h. Among the eleven phytochemical constituents detected in different concentrations in the essential oil of experimental sets, 4aα,7α,7aα-Nepetalactone (67.9 -87.5 %) constituted the significant proportion of essential oil. Altogether, based on mean comparison, the population NC8 was found to be promising for estimated oil yield and 4aα,7α,7aα-Nepetalactone content. The greater heritability estimates (h 2 bs) and genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) were observed for important economic parameters, i. e., oil content, herb yield, and oil yield. The cluster analysis revealed the least interactions between various agro economic and phytochemical variables. The microscopic study of trichome showed a positive correlation of abaxial leaf surface with essential oil content. The promising antimicrobial potential of catmint oil was also observed against human health-related pathogens. The results infer from our study provide valuable insight for genetic improvement and product development in the catmint germplasm.

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Nepeta transcaucasica Grossh. and Nepeta cataria L. Cultivated in Bulgaria and Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity

“…cataria essential oil, differences were also found with the data from the literature regarding the amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes such as β-citronellol, geraniol, neral, nerol, carvacrol, and β-citronellal. In the essential oil studied by us, the quantities of nepetalactones were deficient, in contrast to the data of Baranauskienė et al (over 80%), Tiwari et al (67.9–87.5%), and Azizian et al . (81.3%).…”

“…These values approach the data described in the literature for the species N. cataria by Acímovićet al 21 (0.24%) and Tiwari et al 22 (0.1−03%). Still, they differ from the data of Baranauskienėet al 20 (5.94%).…”

“…17 It shows good antibacterial activity, especially on Salmonella typhi, 18 against the yeast Candida albicans 11 and other micro-organisms. 16,[21][22][23][24]36 The essential oil of the species N. transcaucasica has proven activity against Candida yeasts, 35 and extracts of the plant with polar solvents have antibacterial activity. 36 Copper and iron are essential trace elements in many enzymes and physiological processes.…”

“…15 The essential oil has proven antimicrobial 11 , 16 , 17 , 19 − 24 and antioxidant activity. 19 , 21 − 24 It also exhibits other biological properties, 8 , 17 , 18 , 21 , 22 which is why it finds a variety of applications. 12 , 30 …”

“…cataria has been the subject of several studies by authors from different countries. The oxygenated monoterpenes such as citronellal, neral, geranial, citronellol, nerol, and geraniol, some small amounts of other oxygenated monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes such as β-caryophyllene and α-humulene have been identified as the main components in its composition − as and other volatile aromatic compounds. ,, The comparative analysis of these studies shows that the amount of the main components varies depending on the origin of the plant, the soil and climatic conditions, the individual stages of its development, and the methods of drying the raw material before distillation . The essential oil has proven antimicrobial ,,,− and antioxidant activity. ,− It also exhibits other biological properties, ,,,, which is why it finds a variety of applications. , …”