Abstract
Wrightia tinctoria R.Br (family Apocynaceae) is a lesser known plant species used in indigenous system of medicine and dietary proposes in North Gujarat, India. The variation in nutritional and phytochemical attributes of W. tinctoria in different forest localities from North Gujarat aiming the possible effect of onsite soil factors on phytochemical and nutrients level of the species was studied. A significant level of variations in phytochemical, nutritional content and antioxidant activity was observed among localities and plant parts. Leaves exhibited higher levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol, saponin and protein content, while total alkaloid content was highest in fruits. Soil phosphorus showed negative relationship with total phenolic (p < 0.01) and flavonol (p < 0.05) in leaves and positive with protein in stem bark (p < 0.01). Saponin in leaves was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with total soil nitrogen and carbon. The results indicate the potential role of soil constituents in accumulation of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity in above ground systems of W. tinctoria.
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Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Almora, Uttarakhand and Gujarat Forest Research & Training Institute, Gandhinagar, Gujarat for providing facilities to carry out this work. Comments from anonymous reviewers helped in improving contents of this manuscript.
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Nath, S., Rawat, S., Rawal, R.S. et al. Soil constituents influence accumulation of phytochemicals and nutritional content in Wrightia tinctoria of North Gujarat, India. Ind J Plant Physiol. 22, 197–205 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-017-0297-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-017-0297-9