Study of morphological and phytochemical characteristics of some populations of Alcea koelzii I. Riedl. in Iran | ||
| تحقیقات گیاهان دارویی و معطر ایران | ||
| Article 12, Volume 41, Issue 4 - Serial Number 126, December 2025, Pages 742-765 PDF (2.27 M) | ||
| Document Type: Research Paper | ||
| DOI: 10.22092/ijmapr.2025.369748.3554 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Yasaman Mashhadi Tafreshi1; Ghasem Eghlima* 2 | ||
| 1M.Sc. student, Department of Agriculture, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran | ||
| 2Department of Agriculture, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background and Objectives: Alcea koelzii, a species within the genus Alcea and a member of the Malvaceae family, possesses a wide range of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-estrogenic, enzyme-inhibitory, and immunomodulatory activities, due to its diverse array of bioactive compounds. These constituents include flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, triterpenes, alkaloids, acidic polysaccharides (mucilage), pectins, scopoletin, asparagine, tannins, steroids, proteins, and various minerals. Considering the significance of marshmallow as a native plant species and its recognized value in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and health industries, the domestication of A. koelzii, the development of uniform high-quality cultivars, and the establishment of extensive cultivation systems are important and necessary. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the diversity of functional, morphological, and phytochemical traits-particularly anthocyanin, mucilage, and phenolic compound contents-among different A. koelzii populations as an initial step toward the cultivation and domestication of this species. Methodology: To assess morphological, functional, and phytochemical characteristics, multiple A. koelzii populations were collected from natural habitats during the summer of 2024. Plants were harvested at full flowering to standardize the evaluation of the target indicators. Morphological and functional traits, including plant height, number of lateral branches, flower diameter, number of flowers, and flower dry weight per plant, were measured. Phytochemical attributes, comprising total phenolic content, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity, anthocyanin content, mucilage, and carbohydrate content, were also quantified. Phenolic compounds were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). All experiments were performed with five replicates, and results are reported as means ± standard deviation (SD). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed by SAS 9.4 to examine significant variation among populations, followed by Duncan’s multiple range test at p < 0.05. A biplot was produced using Origin 2022, and cluster analysis was conducted via the Euclidean distance coefficient and Ward’s method. Correlation analysis was completed using R software. Results: The highest coefficients of variation were observed for rutin (223.37%), chlorogenic acid (195.91%), antioxidant activity (113.20%), and flower dry weight per plant (78.07%). The TAR population exhibited the highest flower dry weight (1105.14 g/plant), while the SIL population showed the lowest (672.38 g/plant). The ZAN (27.35%) and SIL (23.34%) populations demonstrated the highest mucilage contents. Anthocyanin concentration varied from 1.86 mg cyanidin-3-O-glucoside/g dry weight in ZAN to 3.72 mg/g in QOR. The SIL population contained the highest levels of total phenols (29.72 mg gallic acid/g dry weight) and total flavonoids (16.84 mg rutin/g dry weight). Total carbohydrate content ranged from 30.73% to 53.41%, with BAN exhibiting the highest and HAS the lowest values. HPLC analysis identified rutin, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol, and apigenin as predominant phenolic compounds across populations. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate substantial genetic diversity among A. koelzii populations in relation to morphological and phytochemical characteristics. The pronounced variability observed across key parameters underscores the strong potential of these populations for selection and utilization in breeding, cultivation, and production programs. These results support the broader goals of domestication and the commercial development of this valuable medicinal species. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Anthocyanin; breeding; diversity; mucilage; marshmallow | ||
| References | ||
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