Inter-population variability of secondary metabolites in Hypericum spp. (Hypericaceae) of the Northern Apennines, Italy |
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| Authors: | L. Maffi S. Benvenuti R. Baroni Fornasiero A. Bianchi M. Melegari |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Evolutive and Functional Biology, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze, 43100 Parma, Italy.;Michele Melegari, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi, 183, 41100 Modena, Italy.;Botanical Garden, Department of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Viale Caduti in Guerra, 127, 41100 Modena, Italy. |
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| Abstract: | Hypericum spp. flowers were collected from different sites of Northern Apennines in Italy and were analysed by HPTLC technique to determine their contents in flavonoids (rutin, hyperosid, quercitrin, isoquercitrin and quercetin) and hypericins (pseudohypericin and hypericin). The H. perforatum and H. richeri composition was evaluated in order to investigate the influence of ecological conditions on secondary metabolites production. The species studied showed some differences in the amounts of investigated metabolites and high variability was observed in populations gathered in different places. No significant effects of environmental factors on active compound production were observed, except for the rutin content which is in positive correlation with the altitude of the growing site. Interesting informations are also given about the morphology of secretory structures found in Hypericum richeri. |
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