Variation of carotenoid content in agastache rugosa and agastache foeniculum

Abstract

The present study describes the variation in carotenoid content between different organs (leaf, flower, stem and root) of Agastache rugosa and Agastache foeniculum species. Analysis of distinct parts of the two Agastache spp revealed the presence of 6 carotenoids-violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, a-carotene and b-carotene. However, the levels of these carotenoids varied significantly among the different plant organs. All 6 carotenoids were observed in the leaves of both species. Moreover, the amount of carotenoids in the leaves was much higher than in the stem, flower or root. The carotenoid content was higher in all parts of A. rugosa compared with A. foeniculum. In particular, the levels of a-carotene was 9.6-fold higher in the leaves of A. rugosa than that in the leaves of A. foeniculum. The levels of lutein and b-carotene in the stem of A. rugosa were 2.8 and 2.1-fold higher, respectively, compared with those in the stem of A. foeniculum. Thus, the amount of carotenoids varied widely between the different parts of Agastache spp. The variation in carotenoid content between the two species was significant.