Abstract

GARCIA-GRANADOS, R.U. et al. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extracts of Thalassia testudinum Banks ex Köning et Sims from the area of Champoton, Campeche, Mexico, during the annual cycle 2016-2017. Polibotánica [online]. 2019, n.48, pp.151-168.  Epub June 15, 2020. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.48.12.

Thalassia testudinum Banks ex Köning et Sims is a marine phanerogam, monocotyledonous, dioica that is distributed from Florida and Gulf of Mexico, up to the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela. Recent researches have shown that T. testudinum has anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antiviral, dermo-regenerative, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and neuroprotective activity. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the seasonal variability in the content of metabolites in the aqueous extracts of the whole plant, the leaves and the rhizome of T. testudinum during the seasons of the year (northern, dry and rainy) in Champotón, Campeche, Mexico. The presence of phenols, flavonoids, phytosterols, coumarins, diterpenes, triterpenes, saponins, and reducing sugars was determined by qualitative tests and the saponins contain in these extracts was quantified, as well as its hemolytic capacity. The extracts of the leaves of the northern period presented the highest concentration of constituents. Reducing sugars content in rhizome extracts was present throughout the annual cycle, while the content of saponins was higher in the leave extracts of the northern season, as well as its hemolytic capacity. The results indicate that the northern season is the most suitable for obtaining biological material of T. testudinum to prepare aqueous extracts with biotechnological or pharmacological applications, collected in Champoton, Campeche, Mexico.

Keywords : Thalassia testudinum; phytochemical analysis; saponins; seagrasses; seasonal variation.

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