Evaluation of physiologicaland phytochemical traits in four different species of Alcea spp. collected from central region of Iran

In view of enriched secondary metabolites in Alcea L., this study was carried out in order to determine and compare thebioactive compounds and their correlation with antioxidant activity in flowers and roots of different species of Alcea Seeds of different ecotypes of Alcea collected from Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Lorestan, and Markazi provinces. The study was arranged in a randomized complete block design in the Research Farm of Shahrekord University in summer 2018. Herbarium specimen were prepared and transferred to the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, and ultimately four different species of A. rufecense, A. schiraziana, A. lavateriflora, and A. rechingeri were identified. Physiological traits including percentage of extract and mucilage of flowers and roots were measured along with phytochemical traits, namely total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity of flowers using spectrophotometry. The results of analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between species and ecotypes (P≤0.01). Results of mean comparisons showed the highest percentage of extract, mucilage, total phenolics, and flavonoids contents were recorded in flowers of A. rufecense species. Also, tthe highest root mucilage and total anthocyanins contents and also the lowest IC50 of the flowers were recorded in A. lavateriflora species. In addition, the highest percentage of flower extract, root mucilage, flower mucilage, and total flavonoid content were observed in Sch6, Rech3, Ruf1, Sch4, respectively. Also, the highest total phenol and anthocyanin content and the lowest IC50 of flowers were observed in Lav4. Findings suggest that physiological and phytochemical studies can be used along with morphological studies for more accurate identification of ecotypes and species. It was also found that this plant is a very rich and affordable source of mucilage and antioxidant compounds, and by choosing the suitable species and ecotype, the highest number of these compounds can be achieved.