HPTLC fingerprinting, photopigments, and nutrient analysis of Selinum tenuifolium along the altitudinal gradient

Abstract

This study aimed to explore phenolic acids, nutrient status, and content of photopigments and their role in the production of secondary metabolites in Selinum tenuifolium collected from different altitudes (2150 m; 2593 m; 3178 m, asl) in Chopta region of Uttarakhand, India. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting, nutrient analysis, and chlorophyll (Chl) content were assessed in various plant parts (leaves, stem, and roots) of S. tenuifolium. HPTLC analysis revealed a number of bands in the methanolic extracts of S. tenuifolium of which two with retention factor (Rf) values, 0.36 pertaining to gallic acid (GA) and 0.58 relating to ferulic acid (FA) indicating their presence in all three plant parts of S. tenuifolium. The elemental analysis (Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Na⁺ K⁺ and, Ca²⁺) of different plant parts reflected the nutrient status of the plant, the total amount of nutrients being highest in stems of plants growing at 3178 m and lowest in roots of plants growing at 2150 m. The photopigments analysis of leaves of S. tenuifolium showed variations in their contents, being maximum at the highest altitude (3178 m) and minimum at the lowest altitude (2150 m). The correlation matrix suggested a strong positive correlation between elements like Na⁺, K⁺and Ca⁺² with that of carotenoids, and Fe⁺² and Zn⁺² with that of chlorophyll a + b (Chl a + b). On the other hand, a negative correlation existed between photopigments and phenolic acids probably because the plant enjoys a good nutrient status, and therefore secondary metabolites that are usually triggered during stress need not be produced in high quantities.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• HPTLC profile
• gallic acid
• ferulic acid
• Selinum tenuifolium
• chlorophyll

Acknowledgment

The authors are thankful to the Head, Department of Botany, and Lucknow University for providing necessary research facilities.

Author contributions

Ravi Prakash Srivastava designed the study and interpreted the results. Lav Singh helped with the assessment of photopigment analysis. N.K. Nagpoore and P.C. Verma helped with the development of the experiments. Vivek Rawat and Pooja Dixit collected the plant samples and assisted in the diagnosis of the species. Shivaraman Pandey helped to draft the tables and figures in the manuscript. Gauri Saxena supervised the entire study and contributed to the interpretation of the results.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University Grant Commission, New Delhi (UGC New Delhi, India) for providing financial support to Mr. Ravi Prakash Srivastava [grant number 2121430322, Ref. No: 21/12/2014].