The effect of height on some secondary metabolites of different organs of Sambucus (Sambucus ebulus L.) in three cities of Golestan province

In order to study the effect of height and habitat on some biochemical features of Sambucus ebulus, an experiment was carried out in three cities in Golestan (Ramiyan, Tuskestan-Gorgan and Minoodasht),  three height levels (elevations above 1400 m, 700-600 m, and below 300 m), and on leaves, flowers and fruit with three replications in 2015. Total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were measured. The results showed significant effects of heights, region, and organs on biochemical features of the plants so that the interaction of effects of the region and height on the total phenol content and antioxidant activity and the interaction of effects of the region and organ on the total phenol content and on the antioxidant activity, and the interaction of effects of the height and organ on  the total phenol content and flavonoids were significant. Also, the interaction of effects of the region, height, and organs was significant on total phenol content and total flavonoids and antioxidant activities. Maximum and minimum total phenol contents were recorded in the leaves of the plants in low height of Tuskestan and in the flowers of plants at average height of Minoodasht, respectively. Also, the highest flavonoid contents were recorded in the flowers at low heights of Minoodasht while the lowest flavonoid content was observed in fruits of the plants at low heights of Tuskestan. The findings also suggest that the maximum antioxidant activity was observed in fruit of the plants at medium elevation in Tuskestan while the minimum content was recorded in leaves of the plants at medium height in Tuskestan. Overall, it can be conclude that total phenol and flavonoids decreased with an increase in the height and the highest quality was obtained from the plants grown at low heights.