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Phytochemical and functional traits of Suaeda monoica

site, it is difficult to determine the precise mechanism response enabling the plants to better withstand
of these variations. Future investigations should focus environmental stress.
on characterizing these factors to better understand the Research has demonstrated that environmental factors
mechanisms underlying the observed differences. may impact the synthesis of secondary compounds in plant
tissues. According to Tuteja and Sopory, plants modify
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3.4. Secondary metabolites in S. monoica roots and their metabolic profile following the changing seasons
leaves and fluctuations in light conditions, carbon dioxide levels,
The data presented in Table 5 illustrate the abundance availability of water and nutrients, and temperature.
patterns of secondary metabolites measured in the Secondary metabolites influence plant self-defense and
roots and leaves of S. monoica. Statistical analyses anxiety adaptability, functioning as regulatory factors
indicated that the variation in the concentrations of and antioxidants while exhibiting distinctive dietary
phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids was and curative effects. In addition, these compounds
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highly significant (p<0.01), influenced by the collection are involved in various biochemical processes, such as
site and the plant organ (p<0.05). Among the secondary activating enzymes, eliminating reactive oxygen species
metabolites evaluated, phenols emerged as the most (ROS), regulating signaling, and mitigating phototoxicity. 49
abundant, whereas flavonoids were the least prevalent Phenols are precursors of lignin, which is a critical
in both the roots and leaves across all sites examined. stress defense mechanism, particularly in roots. They
Specifically, the roots of S. monoica growing can regulate the makeup and rigidness of the cell wall in
at site S1 exhibited the highest concentrations of response to stressful situations. Furthermore, phenolics
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phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids (8.77, 0.45, and and carotenoids defend against ultraviolet irradiation,
2.60 mg/g DM, respectively). In contrast, the roots whereas glucosinolates and alkaloids are significant
from site S3 demonstrated the highest accumulation feeding barriers against herbivory, and some terpenoids
of terpenoids (0.836 mg/g DM). In the leaves, plants can function as semiotic or signaling compounds. 46,47
from site S1 accumulated greater amounts of phenols The preservation of the lipid phase in thylakoid
and alkaloids (27.81 and 3.05 mg/g DM, respectively). membranes is a mechanism in which terpenoids and their
Meanwhile, leaves from site S3 showed higher levels derivatives alleviate heat stress. Thus, the findings of
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of flavonoids and terpenoids (0.68 and 1.036 mg/g DM, this study corroborate the hypothesis that the roots and
respectively). Overall, it was observed that collection leaves of S. monoica develop considerable quantities of
sites with elevated salinity levels (S1) corresponded anti-stress secondary metabolites to survive the adverse
with increased accumulation of secondary metabolites conditions of their growing environments, especially at
in both roots and leaves, likely as a physiological site S1.

Table 5. Secondary metabolites level in the root and leaf samples of Suaeda monoica
Organ Phenols Flavonoids Alkaloids Terpenoids
(mg/g DM) (mg/g DM) (mg/g DM) (mg/g DM)
Root Site 1 8.77±0.15 d 0.45±0.02 b 2.60±0.101 ab 0.711±0.088 c
Root Site 2 6.93±0.48 d 0.41±0.07 b 1.70±0.091 bc 0.828±0.064 bc
Root Site 3 4.66±0.35 e 0.15±0.02 c 0.90±0.085 c 0.836±0.055 bc
Leaves Site 1 27.81±2.51 a 0.31±0.02 bc 3.05±0.023 a 0.858±0.115 b
Leaves Site 2 23.86±0.95 b 0.25±0.12 bc 2.40±0.112 ab 0.914±0.086 ab
Leaves Site 3 15.55±0.69 c 0.68±0.16 a 2.50±0.098 a 1.036±0.073 a
Source of variation
Fisher’s test 202.642 8.642 5.3720 5.116
Probability 0.0000 0.0103 0.0080 0 0.0096
Least significant difference 2.0598 0.216 1.249 0.1462
Notes: a,b,c The different letters in the same column represent significant variations at a 5% level. Sites having different letters indicate
significant differences in the parameters measured, whereas the same letters indicate no significant differences in the parameters
measured.
Abbreviation: DM: Dry matter.

Volume 22 Issue 3 (2025) 53 doi: 10.36922/ajwep.8523