Impact of Domestication on the Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) Zepern. & Timler Root Bark Extracts Chemical Content in Western, Burkina Faso

Plant domestication is subject to difficulties associated with ecological adaptation and morphological and phytochemical variability that can affect the yield and bioactive composition of the domesticated plant. This study analyses the variability of vanillic acid content in root bark extracts of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) Zepern. & Timler, comparing wild and domesticated individuals. This analysis was conducted by evaluating plant growth parameters, performing thin-layer chromatography, and determining the presence of phenolic compounds. Thin-layer chromatography analysis confirmed the presence of vanillic acid in all samples. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between the stem diameter of the wild individuals and the vanillic acid content (R۲ = -۰.۲۷; p = ۰.۵۱۵) and between the stem diameter of the domesticated individuals and the vanillic acid content (R۲ = -۰.۵۷; p = ۰.۰۸۴۷) of the root bark extracts. This suggests that trunk diameter is not a reliable indicator of active compound richness. These results highlight the ecological influence of domestication and plant origin on the secondary metabolism of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides. The study contributes to a better understanding of intraspecific chemical diversity in relation to domestication, development, and ecological variability of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides.

کلیدواژه ها:

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides ، Domestication ، Vanillic acid ، Variability ، Ecology