A tale of two chamomiles: profiling the differences between Tripleurospermum tempskyanum (Freyn & Sint.) Hayek and Matricaria recutita L

Matricaria and Tripleurospermum (Anthemideae, Asteraceae) are two closely related genera with a wide distribution across the Mediterranean basin. Until recently, the multitude of morphological similarities constituted a cause of taxonomic confusion among botanists, with several Tripleurospermum species being attributed to the Matricaria genus in nomenclature. Nevertheless, in recent years, studies around the genome of those plants assisted to the definite separation of the two genera [1]. In this context, the present work describes the phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of the common chamomille, M. recutita (Mr) and T. temspkyanum (Tt), a rare species which has only been encountered in certain parts of Greece and Turkey.

On one hand, LC-HRMS analysis of the plantsʼ polar extracts, revealed a similarity among the two species, with their profiles being characterized by a plethora of cinammic acid derivatives, flavonoids, fatty acids and certain coumarins. However, the main differences could be found in their major flavonoids, with Mr and Tt being abundant in apigenin and luteolin derivatives, respectively. On the other hand, GC-MS analysis of the plantsʼ essential oils (eo) and non-polar extracts, showed significant variation among the two plants, especially for their main constituents. Finally, fractionation of Ttʼs non-polar extract, led to the isolation and unambiguous structure elucidation of its major volatile compounds. Overall, the current study provides novel insight on the phytochemical character of the two genera contributing to the elucidation of taxonomic contoversities.

The author is thankful to the Special Account for Research Grants and the NKUA for funding their participation.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Dezember 2022

• Reference

• 1 Inceer H, Ozcan M. Taxonomic evaluations on the anatomical characters of leaf and achene in Turkish Tripleurospermum with its relative Matricaria (Asteraceae). Flora 2021; 275: 151759