Characterization of 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde content in tuberous roots of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. Based on root age and size
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn., commonly known as swallow root, is an aromatic medicinal plant valued for its characteristic flavour and bioactive constituents. The tuberous roots are particularly rich in 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (2H4MB), a characteristic aromatic flavour compound and structural isomer of vanillin. The concentration of 2H4MB may vary with the developmental stage and physical characteristics of tuberous roots. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to characterize the 2H4MB content in tuberous roots of D. hamiltonii based on root age and size. Four categories of tuberous roots were evaluated, viz., T₁: three-year-old large roots (>3 cm diameter), T₂: three-year-old small roots (<3 cm diameter), T₃: two-year-old large roots (>3 cm diameter) and T₄: two-year-old small roots (<3 cm diameter). The compound was extracted using methanol and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Significant variation in 2H4MB content was observed among the root categories. The highest 2H4MB content was recorded in T₁ (4.40 mg g⁻¹), followed by T₂ (3.43 mg g⁻¹), T₃ (2.43 mg g⁻¹) and T₄ (2.24 mg g⁻¹). The difference among treatments was significant at the 5 per cent level, with a critical difference of 0.16 mg g⁻¹. Three-year-old roots recorded higher 2H4MB content than two-year-old roots, while large roots recorded higher values than small roots within the respective age groups. The findings characterize the variation of this important flavour compound according to root age and size and indicate that three-year-old large tuberous roots are a promising raw material category for obtaining higher 2H4MB content. The study provides useful information for raw material selection, harvest standardization and quality-oriented utilization of D. hamiltonii tuberous roots.
Institution: Dr. Y.S.R Horticultural University
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204189510