Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant potential of Piper species and its Molecular Characterization by RAPD Markers

Abstract

BACKGROUD & OBJECTIVE: Piper, the pepper plants or pepper vines, are the genus of the Piperaceae family and are
important economically and ecologically. It contains more than 1,000 species of shrubs, herbs and lianas, many of which are
keystone species in their native habitat. The diversification of this taxon is of interest to understand the evolution of plants. In
the scope of bioactive compounds, Piper species (P. nigrum, P. retrofractum and P. longum) were screened for
phytochemicals. METHODOLOGY: Phytochemical analysis of these plants showed presence of phenolic compounds,
anthraquinones, terpenoids, flavinoids and lignin. Also, the methanolic extracts of these plants were tested for their antioxidant
potential by free radical scavenging activity by DPPH assay. All the tested plants showed antioxidant potential and the overall
antioxidant activity of P. nigrum was found to be highest. Genomic DNA was extracted from the fresh leaves of selected
cultivars and PCR was performed by using RAPD primers to check the genetic diversity among these cultivars. From the PCR
generated fingerprint, dendrogram was plotted by cluster analysis of similarity matrix. RESULTS: Dendrogram constructed by
cluster analysis of RAPD markers showed that Piper nigrum and Piper retrofractum are closely related. Since morphological
differences among these species are indistinctive, RAPD characterization can be helpful in their Discrimination.
CONCLUSION: This finding can be used as prerequisite for plant breeding activities as well as for conservation of genetic
resources.