Difference in the concentration of bioactive compounds between clones of Pereskia aculeata under different planting densities

Pereskia aculeata Miller, popularly known as ora-pro-nobis, belongs to the Cactaceae family. The contents of its active compounds may vary among different clones and genotypes and is a fundamental tool to assist in the selection of plants with desired nutraceutical activity. The aim here was to investigate the difference in the concentration of the main secondary metabolites and total soluble proteins present in clones V2 (with thorns) and V3 (without thorns) of Pereskia aculeata produced by EPAMIG Sudeste – MG, Brazil. Planting was done in randomised blocks, with four different densities (1, 4, 8 and 16 plants/m²) and quadruplicates. The concentration of bioactives in fresh leaf extracts was quantitatively determined by spectrophotometry. The antioxidant activity (DPPH method) of the leaves of clone V3 (79.2%) was significantly higher than the leaves of clone V2 (28.9%) at all analysed densities. Clones V2 and V3 grown in areas of 8 plants/m² showed higher total phenolic contents than the other densities. Both clones were shown to be a rich source of total soluble proteins, with the concentration of these proteins being more pronounced in V3, at an average value of 173.27 mg/g of leaf in all densities. It was also observed that the leaves of clone V3 were more abundant in total carotenoids at densities of 1, 8 and 16 plants/m². The proportion of flavonoids and nitric oxide was similar for both clones, thus, clone V3 is a better source of antioxidant compounds, carotenoids and soluble proteins, in addition to the agronomic advantage of its collection due to the absence of thorns.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023