ARS | Publication request: Calyx diversity of flavonols and fatty acids in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) for use as a potential nutraceutical crop.

Submitted to: Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 15, 2012
Publication Date: November 15, 2012
Citation: Morris, J.B., Wang, M.L., Thomas, T.P. 2012. Calyx diversity of flavonols and fatty acids in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) for use as a potential nutraceutical crop. Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference. November 12-15, 2012, Sonoma, California.

Technical Abstract: Flavonols and fatty acids in plants has potential to be used as an antioxidant, lowering of cholesterol, and for cancer prevention. Roselle is a photoperiod and frost-sensitive species requiring greenhouse production in the Griffin, GA environment. Six accessions of roselle calyces were evaluated for flavonol diversity including quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, while 13 accessions were evaluated for fatty acid diversity in a greenhouse from 2009 - 2010. Variation for all chemical traits were found among the roselle calyces. Plant introduction (PI)265319 produced the most quercetin (1.134 mg/g) and myricetin (0.972 mg/g). However, PI286316 produced the most kaempferol (1.882 mg/g). Several roselle accessions differed significantly in fatty acid content. Plant introduction 286319 produced the most mono-unsaturated fatty acid, palmitoleic acid (0.046 %) and gadoleic acid (0.213 %), however PI468409 produced the most oleic acid (5.091 %). Plant introduction 286319 also produced the most omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid (6.218 %) while PI 268097 produced the most '-linolenic acid (0.093 %). Plant introduction 286316 produced the most omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (0.038 %), however PI 265319 produced significantly more docsahexaenoic acid (5.296 %) than all other roselle accessions. The red calyces produced significantly higher amounts of fatty acids overall. Significant correlations were found for many of the flavonol and fatty acid traits in these roselle calyces. Sufficient variability exists in these Hibiscus accessions for quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, and fatty acid breeding projects and for use as nutraceutical crop.