Caffeoyl phenols and alkamides of cultivated Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea atrorubens var. paradoxa

Abstract

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench was recently introduced into Taiwan. In the present study, the biomass, the contents of caffeoyl phenols, and the content of dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide plus dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide (alkamides 8 and 9 respectively,) of locally selected line CLS-P2 and two introduced cultivars Magnus and White Swan of E. purpurea and an introduced E. atrorubens var. paradoxa were compared. The results indicated that both biomass and phytoactive constituents varied considerably among the introduced cultivars and selected line. Line CLS-P2 grew better and produced more aerial and ground parts than introduced cultivars Magnus and White Swan. It also produced more caffeoyl phenols, particularly cichoric acid and caftaric acid in its leaves than Magnus and White Swan. All the E. purpurea cultivars and line produced same amounts of alkamides 8 and 9 in their flower heads and leaves. But White Swan produced more alkamides 8 and 9 in its roots than CLS-P2 and Magnus. Line CLS-P2 was less homogenous in genetic background as compared to the introduced cultivars. E. atrorubens var. paradoxa also grew well in Taiwan, but it produced less aerial and ground dry mass than E. purpurea. E. atrorubens var. paradoxa produced more echinacoside in its flower heads, leaves, and root parts, while E. purpurea plants had more cichoric acid and caftaric acid in their flower heads and leaves. E. atrorubens var. paradoxa also produced more alkamides 8 and 9 in flower heads and leaves, while E. purpurea produced more alkamides 8 and 9 in roots.