Determination of Amino Acids in Medicinal Plants from Southern Sonora, Mexico

Ef Moran-Palacio,Ja Rosas-Rodríguez,O Tortoledo-Ortiz,Ga Yañez-Farias,Na Stephens-Camacho,Jg Soñanez-Organis,Lm Ochoa-López,La Zamora-Álvarez

doi:10.4314/tjpr.v13i4.17

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the amino acid contents of some plants used in traditional medicine in Southern Sonora, Mexico by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Methods: The plant samples (Jutuki, Zizyphus obtusifolia A.Gray; Jito, Forchammeria watsonii Rose; Barchata, Lycium berlandieri Dunal; Citabaro, Vallesia glabra Link; Mangle Rojo, Rhizophora mangle L and Tatachinole, Tournefortia hartwegiana Steud) were dehydrated at room temperature and ground to a fine powder. Amino acid analysis was performed by reversed-phase HPLC. Elution was carried out with a gradient mobile phase of sodium acetate 0.1 M and methanol (9:1). Samples were derived with ophthalaldehyde (OPA) and detected by fluorescence at 360(Ex)/455(Em) wavelengths.Results: HPLC analysis resulted in a reliable detection and peak resolution. Tatachinole samples show the greater amino acid concentration (7.83 to 58.17 nM). Fifteen amino acids were detected in plant samples, with aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), serine (Ser), glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala) and leucine (Leu) (43.55, 44.84, 29.60, 58.17, 43.05 and 38.73 nM, respectively) presenting the highest concentrations.Conclusion: The amino acids - Asp, Glu, Ser, Gly, Ala and Leu - are naturally involved in osmolyte synthesis, cell metabolism, ammonia detoxification, antioxidant activity and alkaloid synthesis, suggesting that the therapeutic properties of these Southern Sonora plants may have some links to their amino acid composition.Keywords: Amino acid profile, Medicinal plants, Osmolytes, Drought/saline stress

Highlights

Amino acids are essential in the synthesis of proteins and precursors in the formation of secondary metabolism molecules [1] that participate in cell signaling, gene expression and homeostasis regulation [2], protein phosphorylation, synthesis of hormones and antioxidant capacity [3]
The response of the plants results in the activation of mechanisms involved in the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites responsible for the beneficial properties attributed to medicinal plants [7]
The plant samples of Jutuki, Jito, Barchata, Citabaro, Mangle rojo and Tatachinole were taxonomical characterized on Herbarium of the University of Sonora (Fig.1)

Summary

Introduction

Amino acids are essential in the synthesis of proteins and precursors in the formation of secondary metabolism molecules [1] that participate in cell signaling, gene expression and homeostasis regulation [2], protein phosphorylation, synthesis of hormones and antioxidant capacity [3]. Drought stress and saline are conditions that favor the accumulation of products of primary metabolism as osmolytes, amino acids and reducing sugars [3]. The plants are adapted to several stress conditions such as high and low temperatures, high salt concentrations, exposure to heavy metals, ultraviolet radiation and drought stress as result of their continuous evolution [6]. The response of the plants results in the activation of mechanisms involved in the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites responsible for the beneficial properties attributed to medicinal plants [7]. The bioclimatic conditions of southern Sonora, Mexico allow the plants to accumulate compounds as an adaptive mechanism in response to stress [9]. The accumulation of primary metabolites for development of plants is well defined

Results

Discussion

Conclusion