Anthocyanin indexes, quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin concentration in leaves and fruit of Abutilon theophrasti Medik. genetic resources

Anthocyanin indexes, quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin may provide industry with potential new medicines or nutraceuticals. Velvetleaf ( Abutilon theophrasti Medik) leaves from 42 plant introductions (PI) were analyzed for anthocyanin indexes while both leaves and fruit were used for quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin concentration analysis by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Leaf anthocyanin indexes ranged from 6.15 to 11.25 among PI. Leaf quercetin and kaempferol concentrations ranged from 1.50 to 4.79 mg/g and 0.43 to 2.17 mg/g, respectively. Fruit quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin concentrations ranged from 0.061 to 0.266 mg/g, 0.054 to 0.734 mg/g, and 0 to 35.87 μg/g, respectively. Significant differences in leaf weight were also observed. Significant correlations were found between several traits. This information regarding anthocyanin indexes, quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin concentrations will be useful for velvetleaf cultivar development. Breeders and other scientists could use this germplasm that contains high concentrations of anthocyanins, quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin to develop new medicines or nutraceuticals from an extremely useful weedy species.