Abstract

EFFECT OF SEASONAL VARIATION ON TOTAL ALKALOIDS AND TANNIN CONTENT IN DIFFERENT PLANT PARTS OF LANNEA COROMANDELICA (HOUTT.) MERR.

Vinod B. Thombare* and Vasant B. Kadam

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Abstract

Plants exhibit seasonal variations in biochemical composition due to changes in environmental factors such as temperature, light intensity, and precipitation. These changes affect the biosynthesis of both primary and secondary metabolites, which play vital roles in plant growth, defense, and adaptation. Secondary metabolites are particularly important due to their pharmacological properties and roles in plant protection against biotic and abiotic stresses. Lannea coromandelica (Indian Ash tree) is a traditional medicinal plant known for its rich content of bioactive compounds including alkaloids and tannins. This study aimed to evaluate seasonal variations in total alkaloid and tannin content in leaves, stem, and bark of L. coromandelica collected from Nashik district, Maharashtra, India, over three seasons—summer, monsoon, and winter—for two consecutive years. Results revealed significant seasonal influence on metabolite content, with alkaloid levels peaking in winter for leaves and bark, and in summer for stems, while tannin levels varied with plant part and season.

Keywords: Primary metabolites, Secondary metabolites, Alkaloids, Tannins, Lannea coromandelica, Seasonal variation.