Intra- and interpopulation variability of Balkan endemic - Satureja kitaibelii based on n-alkane profile

• Published in: Biochemical systematics and ecology 2019-08, Vol.85, p.68-71
• Main Authors: Dodoš, Tanja, Rajčević, Nemanja, Janaćković, Pedja, Novaković, Jelica, Marin, Petar D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Lamiaceae; Leaf epicuticular wax; n-alkanes; Satureja kitaibelii
• ISSN: 0305-1978; 1873-2925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bse.2019.05.008

Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff. is endemic species of central Balkan that lives along the Balkan mountains range. The aim of this research was to study the variability of n-alkane profiles of four S. kitaibelii populations growing wild in Serbia in regards to biogeography and chemotaxonomy. Using GC/MS and GC/FID, seventeen n-alkane homologues (C19–C35) were identified. n-Hentriacontane (C31) was dominant in all populations, except in population Djerdap and Rtanj were it was co-dominant with n-nonacosane (C29). Population Temšica and Poganovo also had high percentages of n-nonacosane and n-tritriacontane (C33). However, these two compounds had similar quantities in population Poganovo. Statistical analyses showed differences between studied populations based on n-alkane profiles. Moreover, geographically closer populations had a similar profile. [Display omitted] •n-Alkane profile of endemic S. kitaibelii populations dominated by C31.•Based on C29and C33 northern populations separated from southern ones.•Profiles do not correlate significantly with climate, altitude and inclination.•Geographically closer populations show more similar n-alkane profiles.