Variation in terpene and linear-chain hydrocarbon content in yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) germplasm from the Rhaetian Alps, Italy.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) is a herbaceous species common in the Alpine region of Europe and used in folk medicine since antiquity. Its organs are rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, two subclasses of plant terpenoids with relevant ecological significance, which were reported as valuable markers for the traceability of mountain dairy products. The variability in chemical composition of yarrow germplasm may be related with its genetic diversity, accounting for possible differences in medical properties, and supporting its use as a specific territorial marker. Aim of this work was to assess the leaf chemical composition of 16 yarrow populations collected at altitudes exceeding 1600 m in three valleys of the Rhaetian Alps, Italy, and jointly evaluated in a lowland site. The most abundant compounds detected generally differed from those of the germplasm from other countries. A trend of valley-specific pattern of composition was evident. However, the variability among individual populations was even more remarkable, regardless of their valley of origin. The concentrations of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes discriminated the populations in multivariate analysis. A few prevailing chemotypes were characterized, which differed from those previously reported in the literature. The geographic isolation from other germplasms, and the local ecotypization, likely originated a chemically distinct gene pool.
CRA-FLC Centro di Ricerca per le Produzioni Foraggere e Lattiero-Casearie, viale Piacenza 29, I-26900 Lodi, Italy. luciano.pecetti@entecra.it
Luciano
L
Pecetti
Aldo
A
Tava
Massimo
M
Romani
Roberto
R
Cecotti
Mariella
M
Mella
D031162:Achillea / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D007558:Italy; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry*
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D013729:Terpenes