Secoiridoid glycosides as a marker system in chemical variability estimation and chemotype assignment of Centaurium erythraea Rafn from the Balkan Peninsula

The content of secoiridoid glycosides in the aerial parts and roots of in vitro grown centaury (Centaurium erythraea Rafn) plants, originating from 52 Balkan Peninsula populations was analyzed. The results of this study give insight into the infraspecific variability of centaury, based on the yield of secoiridoid glycosides as chemical markers of phenotypic variation. According to the cluster analysis, existence of two basic chemotypes is suggested. Moreover, the impact of prevailing environmental gradients in natural habitats on chemotype differentiation was assessed. The precipitation rate of the warmest quarter of year significantly affects the accumulation of secondary metabolites. These results will enable the selection of particular populations which are characterized by enhanced accumulation of secondary metabolites of interest, thus making it possible to realize the commercial field cultivation and upscale production and of this threatened and pharmacologically important species.

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► Secoiridoid glycosides were used to investigate the phenotypic variability of 52 Balkan populations of Centaurium erythraea.
► Significant inter-population chemical variability was revealed.
► Existence of two basic chemotypes was established using cluster analysis.
► Moisture on natural habitats is proven to boost chemical variability.
► The results facilitate the selection of populations with enhanced accumulation of secondary metabolites of interest.