Chemical characterization by GC/MS analysis of Lactuca tatarica (L.) C.A.Mey. aerial parts and seeds

Abstract

Lactuca tatarica is a wild species belonging to Asteraceae family omnipresent in Southern Caucasus region including Azerbaijan. Previous studies on the chemical content of some extracts obtained from its different organs have reported the presence of lactone sesquiterpenes, triterpenoids and flavonoids. For the first time, we investigated the volatile composition of L. tatarica aerial parts and seeds by GC/MS technique. The results showed the predominant presence of fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated. Palmitic acid was prevalent in the aerial parts (up to 89.9%) while linoleic acid (up to 82.6%) was the most abundant component in the seeds. Other minor components were terpene and hydrocarbon derivatives. Some of the detected constituents in L. tatarica have already demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Therefore, this species could be better studied for its biological properties and considered as a source of active ingredients useful in various fields including the pharmaceutical one.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Asteraceae
• blue lettuce
• fatty acids
• volatile compounds
• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectometry
• Lactuca species
• wild plants

Acknowledgemnt

We thank Prof. Valida M. Alizade, the Director of the Institue of Botany, ANAS for her continuous support and for contributions to the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).