Find in Library

Leaves of semi-domesticated <i>Diospyros digyna</i> and wild <i>D. rekoi</i> trees, sampled seasonally in Mexico in 2014, were analyzed. Metabolic fingerprints revealed higher metabolite diversity in <i>D. rekoi</i> leaves. The TLC bands characteristic of glycosylated flavonoids, predominant in this species, matched the detection of quercetin and quercetin 3-O-glucuronides by liquid chromatography (UPLC-MS) of spring leaf extracts (LEs). Further gas chromatography (GC-MS) analysis revealed abundant fatty acids, organic acids, and secondary metabolites including trigonelline, p-coumaric, and ferulic and nicotinic acids. Phenolic-like compounds prevailed in <i>D. digyna</i> LEs, while unidentified triterpenoids and dihydroxylated coumarins were detected by UPLC-MS and GC-MS. A paucity of leaf metabolites in leaves of this species, compared to <i>D. rekoi</i>, was evident. Higher antioxidant capacity (AOC) was detected in <i>D. digyna</i> LEs. The AOC was season-independent in <i>D. digyna</i> but not in <i>D. rekoi</i>. The AOC in both species was concentrated in distinct TLC single bands, although seasonal variation in band intensity was observed among trees sampled. The AOC in <i>D. digyna</i> LEs could be ascribed to the coumarin esculetin. The LEs moderately inhibited phytopathogenic bacteria but not fungi. Leaf chemistry differences in these Mesoamerican <i>Diospyros</i> species substantiated previous variability reported in tree physiology and fruit physical chemistry, postulated to result from domestication and seasonality.