Ecomorphometric markers reflect variations in (-) hydroxycitric acid content of the fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia (Family: Clusiaceae) in selected regions of Kerala, India.

摘要

Ecomorphometric characteristics reflect the quantitative variations in (-) Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) from the fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia (Family Clusiaceae), a compound known for its anti-obesity property, along with several other medicinal factors. Sixty accessions from five eco-geographically distinct regions in Kerala, India were studied. Descriptive statistics (DS) analysis on soil color and texture showed that accessions growing in reddish-brown soil and silty clay soil exhibited the highest average values for both total (-) HCA and free (-) HCA. Whereas, dark to light brown soils and fine sandy textured soils exhibited the least values. Linear Multiple Regression Analysis (LMRA) of 24 independent variables from 4 parameter groups (leaf, fruit, seed and soil) were studied separately and together with each of the 2 dependent variables [total (-) HCA and free (-) HCA] in each of the 5 regions individually and also collectively. While 7 independent variables (R_wd, M, pH, Zn, OrgC, TSS, L_wd) were significantly related to both the dependent variables; none of them were inter-correlated. Furthermore, the relationship of free (-) HCA with the above 7 dependent variables showed a 28.5% concurrence each, with data obtained from graph plots of these values segregated based on soil colour and texture. While moisture (M) proved to be the most significant parameter for both total and free (-) HCA, determined both by LMRA and DS based on soil colour and texture; the significant role of organic carbon (org C) was accentuated by the contribution of soil texture. The consensus of this ecomorphometric study for identifying elite chemotypes of G. cambogia, suggests those accessions growing in soil with high moisture content and inorganic carbon; given that these parameters could significantly contribute to the rind-width and the weight of the fruit, from which (-) HCA is extracted.