Genetic diversity and chemical characterization of selected Polish and Russian cultivars and clones of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea)

Authors: ELZBIETA KACZMARSKA, JACEK GAWRONSKI, MAGDALENA DYDUCH-SIEMINSKA, AGNIESZKA NAJDA, WOJCIECH MARECKI, JADWIGA ZEBROWSKA

Abstract: In traditional medicine, Lonicera caerulea has a notable place, and it has been used for thousands of years in East Asian countries for treating cancer, inflammation, hepatic complications, influenza, and wounds. However, the molecular and chemical characterization of this plant is not well defined. In this study, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to determine the genetic variability of 7 blue honeysuckle cultivars and 3 clones. To characterize these 10 accessions, total flavonoids, phenolic acids contents, and antioxidant activities were estimated. Twelve primers generated 101 polymorphic ISSR-polymerase chain reaction bands. Based on the ISSR amplification profiles, a cluster dendrogram was obtained, which showed that the similarity coefficients among the 10 genotypes of L. Caerulea ranged from 0.53 to 0.69. The study also identified promising genotypes in terms of flavonoid and phenolic acid contents and high antioxidant activities, as follows: cultivar Atut and clone P. A systematic cluster analysis conducted on the basis of chemical data showed that the 10 tested genotypes can be classified into 2 groups. The ISSR analysis together with data for antioxidant activities as well as flavonoid and phenolic acid contents in honeysuckle could be used to evaluate the genetic diversity and to make more efficient choices of parents in current blue honeysuckle breeding programs.

Keywords: DPPH (diphenyl picrylhydrazyl), flavonoids, genetic diversity, ISSR markers, Lonicera caerulea, phenolic acids

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