Compositional analysis of tuberose floral cuticle sheds light on scent volatile emission and cuticle deposition

Abstract

The plant cuticle acts as a vital shield, safeguarding against environmental and biological stresses. Tuberose flowers, specifically the ‘Calcutta Single’ and ‘Calcutta Double’ cultivars of Agave amica (syn. Polianthes tuberosa), are highly prized in India for their aromatic and aesthetic appeal. This research examines the tuberose floral cuticle using GC-MS to identify key chemical components and their characteristics. The analysis uncovered six major chemical classes viz. fatty acids, fatty alcohols, esters, alkanes, alkenes, and aldehydes as the primary constituents of the cuticular wax. Fatty acids and fatty alcohols are dominant in both cultivars, with ‘Calcutta Single’ displaying a higher ester content than ‘Calcutta Double’. This study represents the inaugural in-depth exploration of cuticular wax in tuberose flowers, presenting a comparative investigation into these prominent cultivars.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Agave amica
• floral cuticle
• fatty acids
• gas chromatography
• multivariate analysis

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a research grant [307(Sanc)/ST/P/S&T/1G-56/2017 to A Mitra] from the Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology (www.wbdstbt.in), Government of West Bengal, India. GC-MS instrument used for the experiments was obtained from a Mega Project on Sustainable Food Security (File No: 4-25/2013/TS-I) funded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.