Botanical and genetic characterization of Hibiscus syriacus L. cultivated in Egypt

Abstract

The Hibiscus syriacus L., belonging to family Malvaceae, is cultivated in Egypt and has been used in folk medicine to treat many health problems due to its antipyretic and anthelmintic nature. Hibiscus syriacus L. is a highly deciduous flowering shrub reaching 2-4 m. Genomic DNA was studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)- polymerase chain reaction and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR). The analysis of the amplified fragments generated by RAPD reactions revealed that the genetic profile of H. syriacus L. produces diverse molecular patterns. The primers OPA-20 and OPB-14 can be used for the identification of this species since they generate producible fragments. The ISSR analysis revealed 100% polymorphism when compared to a sample of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and indicated variability in morphological characteristics and/or biological activity. The highest percentage of protein and amino acid contents were predominant in the leaves of H. syriacus L. followed by its flowers and stem, respectively. Moreover, a proximate analysis of the flowers, leaves, and stem was carried out; the highest percentage of moisture (10.13) and ash (17.40%) contents were in flowers, while the leaves and stem had less percentage of these contents. Meanwhile, the stem showed the highest percentage of fiber content (36.98%) followed by flowers and leaves.