Variation of Secondary Metabolites in the Aerial Biomass of Cryptocarya alba

Abstract

Cryptocarya alba is an important tree species in the Chilean sclerophyllous forest. Its leaves and bark are used in traditional medicine to treat liver diseases and rheumatism. Analyses of the essential oil (EO) show serious discrepancies, and information on other constituents is limited. The aerial biomass of individual trees from 3 wild populations, some old trees, and farmed saplings were analyzed (n = 132). The EO profiles were studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The alkaloidal and polyphenol compositions were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)/MS-MS. The total polyphenol content, the total flavonoid content, and the antioxidant capacity (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, azinobisethylbenzothiazolinesulfonic acid, and ferric reducing antioxidant power: DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP respectively) were determined by standard methods. Significant differences were found at the individual and population levels in the contents of polyphenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and specific alkaloids for leaves, bark, and wood. Farmed saplings grown under less light showed higher concentrations of higenamine, N-methylcoclaurine, N-methyllaurotetanine, and isocorydine, while those receiving more light were richer in laurolitsine, boldine, coclaurine, catechin, quercetin, epicatechin, quercitrin, and procyanidins. Important variations were found according to the season, age of the tree and of the leaves. The EO composition also varied considerably. These results support the idea that the natural variability of medicinal species is an important subject for study.