Multivariate analysis of seed chemical diversity among wild fenugreek (Trigonella monantha C. A. Mey.) ecotypes

Abstract

Background Wild fenugreek (Trigonella monantha), a multi-purpose annual plant, has traditionally been used as a food, forage, and medicinal plant. However, the knowledge of the diversity of its chemical characteristics is limited. In this study, 40 wild fenugreek ecotypes collected from their natural habitats in Iran and grown together in field conditions, were analyzed for their seed chemical properties. Results The ecotypes were cultivated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results of ANOVA revealed a significant difference among the ecotypes for all measured characters (P < 0.01). The results showed a high level of diversity among the ecotypes based on the measured characters, including antioxidant activity (48.19 to 86.85%), phenol (0.82 to 1.51 mg gallic acid per g dry weight), flavonoid (1.07 to 3.11 mg quercetin per g dry weight), trigonelline (0.02 to 0.08 mmol/l), 4-hydroxyisoleucine (0.197 to 0.906 mg/g), sucrose (0.13 to 3.77 mM), glucose (1.07 to 12.1 mM), and fructose (13.3 to 45.5 mM). The cluster analysis divided the ecotypes into four groups and the PCA analysis showed that the three first components explained 73% of the total variance among the ecotypes. Also, heat map correlation revealed that many positive and negative correlations were observed among the measured characters. The results did not show a relationship between the amounts of compounds and the place of sample collection. Conclusions The present study suggests considerable diversity in the seed chemical compositions of the wild fenugreek ecotypes. Therefore, many ecotypes could be useful for medicinal purposes, as well as for human nutrition.

Seasonal and Geographic Dynamics in Bioproperties and Phytochemical Profile of Limonium algarvense Erben

“…Additionally, as “Ria Formosa” and “Ria de Alvor” generally share similar climatic characteristics, as they are both coastal wetland areas in southern Portugal, the differences found among the locations may be linked to genetic variation factors within different populations/ecotypes. These genetic variations could contribute to the distinct biochemical compositions observed, a phenomenon documented in other plant species, such as in the fruits of different ecotypes of the Tunisian halophyte Eryngium maritimum [ 40 ], as well as common glycophytes like Cichorium spinosum [ 41 ], or Trigonella monantha [ 42 ]. This suggests that genetic diversity may play a role in shaping the chemical profiles of L. algarvense in varied ecological niches.…”

“…It is interesting to note that some compounds were only detected in particular seasons and locations or had increased or decreased amounts among these variables. For example, luteolin (52), naringenin (53), and two apigenin derivatives (41,42) were found in increased concentrations in the summer samples, whereas a myricetin derivative (50) was detected in higher amounts during the spring. In turn, prodelphinidinA2 3′-gallate (15) was detected in higher amounts during autumn and winter, while syringaresinol sulphate (35) and medioresinol sulphate (36) have lower concentrations during the spring, and quercetin-O-hexoside isomer ( 37) is only produce in summer.…”

“…High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) had already identified most of these molecules in the aerial parts (flowers, peduncles, or leaves) of this species, either collected from the wild or cultivated in a greenhouse [8,10] It is interesting to note that some compounds were only detected in particular seasons and locations or had increased or decreased amounts among these variables. For example, luteolin (52), naringenin (53), and two apigenin derivatives (41,42) were found in increased concentrations in the summer samples, whereas a myricetin derivative (50) was detected in higher amounts during the spring. In turn, prodelphinidinA2 3 ′ -gallate (15) was detected in higher amounts during autumn and winter, while syringaresinol sulphate (35) and medioresinol sulphate (36) have lower concentrations during the spring, and quercetin-O-hexoside isomer (37) is only produce in summer.…”