The Determination of Some Physiological Parameters in Hypericum bilgehan-bilgilii Flowers Grown at Different Altitudes

Huseyin Turker

doi:10.24925/turjaf.v14i8.2149-2156.9003

Authors

Huseyin Turker Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Faculty of Sciences, Biotechnology Department, 51240, Niğde, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7309-9484

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v14i8.2149-2156.9003

Keywords:

Antioxidant activity , Elevations , Hypericum bilgehan-bilgilii , Endemic plant , Medicinal plant

Abstract

Species belonging to the Hypericum genus within the Hypericaceae family have attracted scientific interest due to their high content of bioactive compounds and their medicinal potential. Environmental conditions, which vary depending on altitude, can lead to differences in the physiological and biochemical parameters of these plants. In this study, certain physiological characteristics of the flower structures of Hypericum bilgehan-bilgilii, a species with agricultural and medicinal potential, were examined for the first time at two different elevations (1785 and 2020 m). In the study, the total protein content, total phenolic content, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and carotenoid levels were determined for the first time using flowers collected from their natural habitat. According to the data obtained from the study, flower structures of plants grown at high altitudes were found to have 38% more total protein, 50% more total phenolic content, 25% higher PAL activity, 2.5 times higher DPPH radical scavenging activity, and 54% higher carotenoid content. Assessment of various physiological and biochemical parameters of medicinal plants grown at different altitudes is considered to make a substantial contribution to selecting the best species and the most suitable altitude for the cultivation of medicinal plants and their commercial production for various industrial applications.

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