Planta Med 2008; 74 - PI39
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084947

Molecular characterization and analysis of the volatile oils of two endemic Portuguese species: Angelica lignescens and Melanoselinum decipiens

MD Mendes 1, H Trindade 1, AC Figueiredo 1, LG Pedro 1, JG Barroso 1, SS Fontinha 2
  • 1Universidade de Lisboa, FCUL, DBV, IBB, Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, C2, Piso 1, Campo Grande, 1749–016 Lisbon, Portugal
  • 2Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira, Caminho do Meio, Quinta do Bom Sucesso, 9050–251 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Angelica lignescens and Melanoselinum decipiens were considered as the same species, M. decipiens, until 1998 [1]. However, chemical and morphological studies with these species revealed they were actually different and nowadays it is accepted that A. lignescens is endemic from the Azores archipelago while M. decipiens is endemic from Madeira [1]. Molecular data and analysis of the volatile oils of 12 individuals of A. lignescens and 3 individuals of M. decipiens were studied to determine whether volatile components could be used as taxonomical markers and to examine the relationship between molecular and chemical markers.

RAPD markers were used in order to assess the genetic relationships between the individuals of the two species. Volatiles were extracted by distillation-extraction and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. On the basis of their genetic similarities, RAPD analysis grouped the samples into two main genetically distinct clusters, corresponding to the two species under study.

Limonene (57–86%) was the main component of A. lignescens volatile oils, while β–pinene (38–47%), sabinene (1–33%) and bornyl acetate (not detected-23%) dominated M. decipiens volatile oils. Chemical composition cluster analysis of the volatile oils grouped the 15 samples into two main groups, similarly to what was found with the molecular markers.

We conclude that the molecular markers and volatile oils can be used to differentiate the two species, revealing a good separation at inter-specific level, corroborating the existence of two distinct species.

Acknowledgements: Partially funded by FCT under research contract PTDC/AGR-AAM/70136/2006.

References: 1. Press J.R., Dias E. (1998) Life and Marine Sciences 16A: 1–10.