Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Genetic and chemical variations among wild populations of a medicinal plant (Artemisia herba-alba Asso.) collected from different regions in Jordan

Author(s):

Abdul Latief A. Al-Ghzawi ¹*, Khloud A. Juma’a ¹, Ibrahim M. Al-Rawashdeh ²

Recieved Date: 2012-04-15, Accepted Date: 2012-09-28

Abstract:

Artemisia herba-alba Asso. (locally known as A’Shih ) is a medicinal plant which is found under natural habitats in a wide range of environmental and climatic conditions of Jordan. Genetic variations and chemical compositions among and within the population of Artemisia herba-alba Asso. were studied in Jordan using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Four regions, namely Al-Shoubak, Al-Tafileh, Madaba and Al-Mafraq, were selected to study the variability among collected populations. Based on the presence of Artemisia herba-alba species, three monitoring areas were selected within the four regions in 2009. For RAPD molecular analysis purposes, five DNA samples were used per each population to study the genetic variability among and within A. herba-alba populations. Four primers were used based on the RAPD technique, which revealed a total number of 930 bands among which 117 are polymorphic. High polymorphism among studied populations was found, which indicated the presence of genetic variation among and within populations. Standard oils were used based on their availability at local companies to study the chemical composition of Artemisia herba-alba. The results indicated regional differences for the production of different essential oils; Shoubak 1 population is considered promising for the alpha-thujone, while Tafileh 3 population is a source for 1,8-cineole, and Mafraq 3 population is a source of camphor. These findings might be economically of high significance, since Shoubak 1, Tafileh 3 and Mwaqqar 3 might be considered as a source of commercial production of these essential oils in Jordan, to enhance the food safety as these oils had  antibacterial and antifungal activities. 

Keywords:

GC/MS, RAPD, polymorphism, essential oils, Jordan, Artemisia herba-alba, medicinal plant

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 3&4
Category: Food and Health
Pages: 26-31

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