Molecular identification and chemical profile of parasitic higher plants in the botanical garden of University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Parasitic higher plants cause plant diseases and may also serve as agents that spread plant viruses. This study was carried out to identify parasitic higher plants in the University of Ilorin Botanical Garden and to investigate the phytochemicals they contain. Survey of parasitic higher plants existing in the Unilorin botanical garden was carried out and documented. Their leaf samples were collected and subjected to molecular identification. The obtained sequences were compared with those available in the NCBI database. Only two parasitic higher plants were identified as Cuscuta europaea (on a moringa tree), and Moquiniella rubra (on a citrus tree). For the phytochemical analysis, the dried leaves were extracted using 70% ethanol and screened using GC – MS. A total of one hundred and three bioactive compounds were identified, with fifty four found in Cuscuta europaea and forty nine present in Moquiniella rubra. Twenty five phytocompounds out of the 103 identifie3 were common in both parasitic higher plants. However, only seven compounds in each species appeared in significant amounts. Some of the major compounds detected, such as phytol, squalene, and hexadecanoic acid, are known to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The findings suggest that although these parasitic plants pose a biological threat to their hosts, they also have the potential to serve as valuable sources of natural therapeutic products.