Impact of Growth Sites on the Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Three Algerian Mentha Species (M. pulegium L., M. rotundifolia (L.) Huds., and M. spicata L.)

Abstract

Research studies about the effect of environmental agents on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in medicinal plants are required to establish a set of optimal growth conditions. Hence, in this work, we considered the impact of habitat types, soil composition, climatic factors, and altitude on the content of phenolics in Mentha species [M. pulegium L. (MP), M. rotundifolia (L.) Huds. (MR), and M. spicata L. (MS)] grown in different regions of Algeria. The phenolic contents and antioxidant activities were analyzed using spectrophotometric and HPTLC methods. The harvesting localities differ by their altitudes and climates, but their soils are quite similar, characterized by slight alkalinity, moderate humidity, no-salinity, and high levels in organic matter. Both the contents in total phenolics (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), and rosmarinic acid (RAC), and the antioxidant activities of Mentha samples collected from these Algerian localities are affected by the geographical regions of origin. The samples of MS and MP from the Khemis–Miliana region showed the highest concentration in TPC (MS, 7853 ± 265 mg GAE/100 g DW; MP, 5250 ± 191 mg GAE/100 g DW), while in Chemini, the MR samples were the richest in these compounds (MR, 3568 ± 195 mg GAE/100 g DW). Otherwise, the MP (from Tichy), MR (from Tajboudjth), and MS (from Khemis–Miliana) specimens exhibited the highest levels of TFC and RAC. The antioxidant levels in a total activity test (reduction of phosphomolybdate) appear correlated with the total phenolic contents, but this was not the case for most of the important ROS-scavenging and iron-chelating capacities for which the quality of polyphenols is probably more important than their amounts. A principal component analysis (PCA) score plot indicates that all of the Mentha samples can be divided into four groups. These discriminated groups appear comparatively similar in phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. As for the harvest localities, the Mentha samples were divided into four groups in which the phenolic contents and antioxidant activities were comparatively equivalent.

Polyphenols Profile and Enzyme Inhibitory Properties of Blumea lacera (Burm. f.) DC.: A Potential Candidate against Obesity, Aging, and Skin Disorder

“…Thus, the total bioactive compounds expression pattern study revealed that B. lacera is a rich source of total bioactive compounds, and it contains a higher amount of total flavonoids than total phenolics. Genotypic specificity is among the various factors that govern the variability of total phenolics and total flavonoids contents in plants [34,35] . The higher total flavonoid content found in this species is consistent with previous findings that reported that B. lacera contains more total flavonoids than total phenolics [36,37] .…”

“…Genotypic specificity is among the various factors that govern the variability of total phenolics and total flavonoids contents in plants. [34,35] The higher total flavonoid content found in this species is consistent with previous findings that reported that B. lacera contains more total flavonoids than total phenolics. [36,37] Moreover, several other species of the Blumea genus, such as Blumea lacineta, [38] Blumea eriantha, [39] and Blumea balsamifera, [40] contain higher concentrations of total flavonoids than total phenolics.…”

Biological Properties, Phenolic Profile, and Botanical Aspect of Nigella sativa L. and Nigella damascena L. Seeds: A Comparative Study

“…[ 43 , 49 , 50 ]. The biotic (pathogens and herbivores) and abiotic factors (climatic conditions, soil composition, altitude, drought stress, salinity) [ 48 , 51 , 52 ] could also be implicated. Indeed, Navarro et al [ 48 ] and Shahbazi et al [ 7 ] reported that water stress enhances the production of oxygen species and free radicals in plants, which increased biosynthesis and the accumulation of phenolic compounds as a plant protection mechanism.…”

Pedoclimatic Conditions Influence the Morphological, Phytochemical and Biological Features of Mentha pulegium L.

“…Indeed, UV radiation unbalances the plant redox status, and the plant is consequently forced to overexpress some secondary metabolites more than others to counteract the strong oxidative stress [ 50 , 52 ]. A recent study investigated the impact of growth sites on the phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of three Algerian species of Mentha [ 23 ]. Analyzing different M. pulegium ecotypes, the authors observed that plant growth in the sampling site characterized by mild summer and hot winter, situated at the lowest altitude, and with medium-type soil with a balanced texture (moderate humidity and non-saline) had the highest content of polyphenols and, consequently, showed the best antioxidant activity.…”

“…It has been shown that pedoclimatic conditions can also influence the morphoanatomical and polyphenolic profile of plants and, consequently, the biological activity of their extracts [ 22 , 23 ]. However, only a few studies have been conducted to date on M. pulegium in this regard.…”