Foliage identification of different autochtonous common cyclamen genotypes (Cyclamen purpurascens Mill.) using various biochemical parameters

• Colour measurements exposed changes between autumn and winter leaves.
• Semi-silvery, green and marbled genotypes accumulated high levels of chlorophyll.
• Leaves of green and marbled types contained high levels of different quercetin and myiricetin compounds, as well as higher laricitrin and kaempferol levels.
• Isoharmnetine-3-rutinoside and neohesperidine prevailed in marbled and silvery genotypes.

In order to evaluate the potential of common cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurascens Mill.) for the use for foliage ornamentals sixteen genotypes were collected from different regions in Slovenia. Cyclamen plants were classified into four groups based on their foliage characteristics: green, marbled, semi-silvery and silvery group. Leaves were analyzed in autumn and winter. Colour characteristics were colorimetrically evaluated, chlorophyll and carotenoid content was measured spectrophotometrically and anthocyanin and flavonol content were determined with the use of HPLC-PDA-MSn. A detailed analysis revealed that cyclamen leaves grouped into various types differed in numerous parameters. Colour measurements exposed changes between autumn and winter leaves and also among different genotypes. Marbled and semi-silvery genotypes tended to develop more red and pink colouration in autumn, whereas during the winter period the red and pink colouration was only observed in marbled genotypes. The latter were also characterized by high levels of anthocyanins. Semi-silvery, green and marbled genotypes accumulated high levels of chlorophyll (a, b, total) particularly in autumn leaves. Leaves of green and marbled cyclamen types contained high levels of different quercetin and myricetin compounds, as well as higher laricitrin and kaempferol levels compared to semi-silvery and silvery genotypes. Oppositely, isoharmnetine-3-rutinoside and neohesperidine concentrations prevailed in marbled and silvery genotypes.