PJB-2011-430
SEASONAL VARIATION IN SOME MEDICINAL AND BIOCHEMICAL INGREDIENTS IN MENTHA LONGIFOLIA (L.) HUDS.
IFTIKHAR AHMAD1, MUHAMMAD SAJID AQEEL AHMAD2*, MUHAMMAD ASHRAF2,3, MUMTAZ HUSSAIN2 AND MUHAMMAD YASIN ASHRAF4
Abstract
Shoots of Mentha longifolia, collected during different seasons from a natural habitat (Knotti Garden in the Soone Valley of the Salt Range), were evaluated for some key medicinal/biochemical ingredients. Plant samples were analyzed for dry matter, fiber, fat, protein, net free energy (NFE), nitrogen free extractable substances (NFES), macro- (Na, N, Ca, K, P) and micro-nutrients (Zn, Mg, Fe, Cu), and alkaloid, flavonoid and phenolic contents. Total fats, proteins, NFE, NFES, macronutrients (Na, N, Ca, K and P), alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolics generally increased while dry matter, fiber, total minerals, and micro-nutrients (Zn, Mg, Fe and Cu) decreased with increasing maturity of plants in autumn followed by winter. The multivariate analysis (RDA) revealed a significant correlation of most of the biochemicals analyzed such as fat, protein, NFE, phenolics, flavonoids and certain minerals such as N, P and Ca with the winter season. In contrast, dry matter, total mineral, total fiber, and Cu and Fe were strongly influenced by the summer season. However, Mg and Zn contents were similarly affected by both autumn and summer. The autumn season had the least effect on the biochemical ingredients of Mentha and only moisture, K and alkaloid contents were associated with this season. The NFES and Na contents showed a slight correlation with each of the seasons as they were almost uniformly influenced by autumn as well as winter. Such temporal variations in biochemical ingredients appeared to be correlated with plant maturity, soil moisture contents and temperature effects during different seasons. It was concluded that the best harvesting season for maximum medicinal ingredients was winter followed by summer and the autumn season was least effective in this regard.
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