Distinct Morphological and Analytical Features of Spinacia oleracea Differentiating from Conventional Spinach Plants

Abstract

Spinacia oleracea (S. oleracea), also known as spinach or Indian spinach, is a rich source of carotenoids and flavonoids with a wide range of health benefits. Besides S. oleracea, many other plants are also known as spinach or its common versions, which could be misleading in the identification of S. oleracea in any nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Thus, the present study aims to differentiate S. oleracea from other conventionally known spinach plants by its macroscopic, microscopic, and phytochemical features. Although these plants were morphologically distinct, analytical investigations were useful in differentiating S. oleracea from other spinach plants in dried or powdered forms. In the present study, HPTLC fingerprinting could efficiently differentiate between these plants based on the isoflavones present in the leaves of S. oleracea. Followed by a robust and simple HPLC-PDA method that was validated for 20β- hydroxyecdysone and isoflavones as authenticating markers with kaempferol from S. oleracea leaves for quality control. These selected bioactive markers specific to S. oleracea were present in the range of 3.101–1232.820 mg/kg and were found absent in spinach samples. Essentially, the described set of methods could be used for species authentication and standardization of S. oleracea differing from other plants known as spinach.