Comparison of two morphotypes of Zuccagnia punctata (Fabaceae) from Valles Calchaquíes in Argentina

María A. Álvarez; Florencia M. Correa Uriburu; María C. Barrera; Roxana J. Enrico; Aldo R. Andrada; Gabriela M. Silenzi Usandivaras; Valeria A. Páez; María S. Caro; Iris C. Zampini; María I. Isla

doi:10.14522/darwiniana.2023.111.1083

Authors

María A. Álvarez Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal (INBIOFIV, CONICET-UNT), San Lorenzo 1469, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4505-438X
Florencia M. Correa Uriburu Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal (INBIOFIV, CONICET-UNT), San Lorenzo 1469, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7233-9861
María C. Barrera Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal (INBIOFIV, CONICET-UNT), San Lorenzo 1469, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4969-8676
Roxana J. Enrico Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal (INBIOFIV, CONICET-UNT), San Lorenzo 1469, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5752-3695
Aldo R. Andrada Instituto de Genética y Microbiología, Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3520-1406
Gabriela M. Silenzi Usandivaras Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina; Instituto de Genética y Microbiología, Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4519-8503
Valeria A. Páez Instituto de Genética y Microbiología, Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3213-3890
María S. Caro Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina; Instituto de Genética y Microbiología, Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0510-893X
Iris C. Zampini Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal (INBIOFIV, CONICET-UNT), San Lorenzo 1469, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7941-1678
María I. Isla Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal (INBIOFIV, CONICET-UNT), San Lorenzo 1469, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4261-4284

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14522/darwiniana.2023.111.1083

Keywords:

Anthocyanins, Anthocyanins, argentine medicinal plant, argentine medicinal plant, chalcones, chalcones, chemotypes, chemotypes, chromosome number, chromosome number, jarilla, jarilla, morphotypes, morphotypes, Valles Calchaquíes, Valles Calchaquíes, Zuccagnia punctata, Zuccagnia punctata

Abstract

Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae) is a medicinal aromatic shrub, a monotypic species with a wide distribution in Argentina. Two morphotypes were found in Valles Calchaquíes, one with yellow fruits (YF) and other with red-brown fruits (RBF). The color of fruits varies between individuals within a population, with some plants producing red-brown fruits and other yellow fruits. The cytogenetic differentiation was determined using root tips. Leaves and fruits were used to analyze chemical composition by HPLC-DAD and HPLC/MS/MS. The number of chromosome (2n = 24) was reported for the first time for the genus. The yellow fruits and red-brown fruits morphotypes showed different karyotypes. The compounds common to both morphotypes were identified in leaves and fruits as chalcones, compounds with biological activity and biomarkers used for quality control of Z. punctata products. Two chemotypes related to the color of the fruits, were detected. An anthocyanin, cyanidin 3-glucoside was found in red-brown fruits (4.75 mg.g^-1 fruits) but not in yellow fruits. These is the first report on yellow fruits morphotype of Z. punctata and on presence of anthocyanins in Z. punctata red-brown fruits morphotype. This work contributes to the knowledge of Z. punctata, a native plant from Argentina with high economic potential to promote the regional economy.