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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #382867
Research Project: Conservation, Characterization, Evaluation, and Distribution of Grain, Oilseed, Vegetable, Subtropical and Tropical Legume, and Warm Season Grass Genetic Resources and Associated Information

Location: Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit

Title: Leaf weight, quercetin, kaempferol, cyanidin, and protein variation in jute and Indian spinach genotypes

Author
item Morris, John - Brad

Submitted to: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2021
Publication Date: 8/5/2021
Citation: Morris, J.B. 2021. Leaf weight, quercetin, kaempferol, cyanidin, and protein variation in jute and Indian spinach genotypes. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. p. 1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: White jute (Corchorus capsularis L.), jute mallow (C. olitorius L.), and Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.) are important crops throughout the world. Fiber from both jute species are used in the textile and rope industries. However, the jute species and Malabar spinach have edible leaves and are used in salads, soups, stews, and mixed vegetables. They have medicinal qualities also and may show variation for leaf weight, quercetin, kaempferol, cyanidin, and protein. Little information is available regarding whether or not these phytochemicals are constituents of white jute, jute mallow, and Malabar spinach and at what concentrations. The objective of this study was to evaluate leaf weight, quercetin, kaempferol, cyanidin, and protein concentrations from leaves of 11 species including 2 white jute, 7 jute mallow, and 2 Malabar spinach genotypes. Leaf weights were measured using a balanced scale. Protein was measured by combustion on an Elementar Rapid N Exceed nitrogen analyzer. Quercetin, kaempferol, and cyanidin were prepared and analyzed by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) on an Agilent 100. Leaf weight, quercetin, and protein were influenced by location and genotype. However kaempferol and cyanidin were influenced by genotype and location,respectively. Leaf weight and protein significantly ranged from 47.4 to 53.7 g and 11.805 to 17.109 mg, respectively. Quercetin and kaempferol significantly ranged from 0.0825 to 1.805 mg/g and 0.09 to 1.25 mg/g, respectively. Significant correlations were observed among the phytochemicals. These 11 jute and Malabar spinach genotypes can be used in breeding programs to develop new cultivars with enhanced phytochemicals.