Anthocyanin indexes, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin concentration in leaves and fruit of Abutilon theophrasti Medik. genetic resources

Authors: Morris, John - Brad; Wang, Ming

Submitted to: Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2011
Publication Date: 8/16/2011
Citation: Morris, J.B., Wang, M.L. 2011. Anthocyanin indexes, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin concentration in leaves and fruit of Abutilon theophrasti Medik. genetic resources. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization. 1:1-3.

Interpretive Summary: Leaves and fruits of Abutilon theophrasti contain many useful chemicals for use as nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. Little information for chemical trait variability of Abutilon theophrasti in Georgia is known. Abutilon theophrasti produced quality plants at Griffin, GA. In addition, Abutilon theophrasti leaves and fruit produced anthocyanin indexes, quercetin, keampferol, and myricetin concentrations in variable amounts. Quality production and healthy chemicals exists in Abutilon theophrasti for use in the southern U.S.A.

Technical Abstract: Anthocyanin indexes, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin may provide industry with potential new medicines or nutraceuticals. Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik) leaves from 42 accessions were analyzed for anthocyanin indexes while both leaves and fruit were used for quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin concentration analysis by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Leaf anthocyanin indexes ranged from 6.15 to 11.25 among accessions. Leaf quercetin and kaempferol concentrations ranged from 1.50 to 4.79 mg/g, and 0.43 to 2.17 ug/g, respectively. Fruit quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin concentrations ranged from 0.061 to 0.266 mg/g, 0.054 to 0.734 mg/g, and 0 to 35.87 ug/g. Significant differences in leaf weight were observed also. Significant correlations occurred between several traits. This information regarding anthocyanin indexes, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin concentrations will be useful for velvetleaf cultivar development. Breeders and other scientists could use this germplasm which contains high concentrations of anthocyanin, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin to develop new medicines or nutraceuticals from an extremely usefuly weedy species.