An insight into the biochemical content of Colchicum autumnale L. throughout its ontogenetic cycle
2025
MOROȘAN, Ioana-Claudia | MIHĂȘAN, Marius | ZAMFIRACHE, Maria-Magdalena
Meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale L.) is a poisonous perennial species with an unusual ontogenetic cycle. This study investigated its biochemical composition during three key developmental phases: growth, fruiting, and flowering. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts from different plant organs were analyzed using UPLC and spectrophotometry to evaluate the influence of developmental stage, extraction method, and solvent on secondary metabolite accumulation, with implications for extract potency and pharmacological properties. Colchicine and phenolic compounds were detected in all organs, though their concentrations varied with extraction technique and harvest time. Flowers contained the highest colchicine levels (0.7815 mg ml-¹ in ethanol, 0.1227 mg ml-¹ in water), while bulbs accumulated lower amounts that decreased from spring to autumn. In general, alcoholic extracts yielded more bioactive compounds than aqueous ones. Flowers and leaves also contained significant levels of polyphenols, with ethanol extracts showing markedly higher concentrations than water extracts. Antioxidant assays revealed strong activity in all alcoholic extracts (79.8 - 90.7 mg ml-¹ eq. ascorbic acid), except for spring bulbs (57.2 mg ml-¹), whereas aqueous extracts exhibited negligible antioxidant capacity (0.07 - 0.3 mg ml-¹). These results highlight the dynamic phytochemistry of C. autumnale, demonstrating that the concentration of bioactive compounds is strongly influenced by plant organ, developmental stage, extraction method, and solvent. Such variability should be considered in future research and practical applications, including ecological studies, weed management, and standardization of extracts for medicinal use.
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