Chemotaxonomic Study Based on Flavonoids as Taxonomic Markers in the Roots of the Selected Species Belonged to Family Solanaceae, Sudan

This work is a taxonomic study on flavonoids in the roots of selected species belonged to family Solanaceae. These species considered as: Lycopersicum esculentum, Solanum melongena and Solanum tuberosum. These species distributed in different localities in Sudan. The selected members have nutritive, medicinal and economic importance, extra of that, the present study included botanical and chemical studies. The collected species have been updated due to nomenclature and synonymy. The geographical distribution of the selected members has been indicated. The chemical studies included identification of the flavonoid compounds using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). Eighty-three flavonoid compounds were detected in the roots of family Solanaceae. The highest number (32) was detected in the roots of Solanum tuberosum. A single flavonoid compound was restricted only to the roots of Solanum melongena. This was: (cyclohexanol-5-methyl-2-(1methylene), {1R-1.alpha, 2beta, 5.alpha}). Four taxonomic markers were identified for the roots of Lycopersicum esculentum. Ten taxonomic markers were identified in the roots of Solanum tuberosum.


Introduction
Flavonoids or bioflavonoids mean yellow in Latin language with reference to their colour in nature and they represent the plant secondary metabolites. Flavonoids are poly phenolic compounds possessing (15) carbon atoms with a leaner three-carbon chain. They also constitute one of the most characteristic classes of plant compounds. Flavonoids are easily recognized as "flower pigment" in the most angiosperm plant families [1]. However, their occurrence is not restricted to flowers but included all the parts of plants [2]. This compiled by Johns et al. [3]. The flavonoids have many classes such as chalcone, flavones, flavanones, flavanoles, anthocyanidins and isoflavonoids [4]. These are synthesized by the plants beside (4000), other compounds identified by their food sources [5]. The flavonoids may contribute to some of the health benefits associated with diets rich in fruit and vegetable [6]. Offering a wide range view of these classes of plant pigments after a brief examination of history and literature of flavonoid, there were sub-classes of flavonoids using multiple techniques for isolation, purification and determination of structures [7].

Study Area
The study conducted in the following localities in Sudan: South Kordofan state (Western Sudan) lies between latitude 11˚ -37.96'N and longitude 29˚ -42'E. Blue Nile State lies between latitude 11˚ -09'N and longitude 34˚ -06'E and khartoum lies between latitude 15˚ -33'N and longitude 32˚ -31E. North Kordofan climate characterized as hot days and cold nights, sunny and partly clouds with relatively short rainy seasons. The area of the study mostly sand of yellowish red sandy loam. Blue Nile state climate depended on change of seasons and with result in a likely decline in stream flow which increases the soil moisture. Khartoum state climate change characterized as temperatures are rising, soil fertility is low and wind blows dusty and also mostly desert with receive barely rainfall.

Population
According to ethno-botanical, South Kordofan is an interesting state; it includes several people such as Arabs and Africans. The tribes in this state depend on (millet, sorghum, groundnuts and sesame) for nutrition, also their activities characterized as pastoral (cattle and goats). Blue Nile state is host to round forty different ethnic groups, its economic activity based on agriculture and livestock and increasing mineral exploitation while Khartoum state composed of various tribes distributed in many localities, most of population works in government services, private sectors and banking. Khartoum represents the capital city because it contains governmental and non-governmental organizations and also include the main airport.

Plant Material
The plants of the selected species from this family were collected from different localities in Sudan, Solanum melongena and Lycopersicum esculentum were brought from Blue Nile state and Solanum tuberosum species were brought from Khartoum state ( Table 1). The plants were identified and their root was A. Ahmed, A. Guma'a chemically analyzed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS), this instrument uses to analyze and identify the components found in the selected plant part (roots) ( Table 2). The version of this system is (GC-MS QP 2010 plus) which works as coupled system to separate and identify the components. A cyclic ring made of cupper was used as stationary phase while the carrier gas (Helium) was used as mobile phase. The (GC) apparatus was configured by adjusting temperature, pressure and time and (MS) identified the components. The (GC-MS) was integrated composite analysis to separate and quantify the contents.

Preparation of the Plant Material
The plant material was washed throughly with running tap water, followed by rinsing with distilled water then air-dried, after that the roots get dried and manually ground. The powder of the roots was then passed into sieves of different sizes (Retsch, German).

Preparation of the Crude Extracts
One ml. of methanol (70%) was added to (1) gm. of the powdered roots. The solution was then injected into (GC) while (MS) detected and identified the components.

Data Analysis
All the data illustrated have been integrated and analyzed see ( Table 2). The results have been structed according to these categories: number of plant mentioned with (scientific names, botanical families and vernacular names). The references were complete in central laboratory. Study of quantitative was also performed using frequency per species and was estimated by calculation of the plant sites.

Discussion
The data detected in this study were compared with the related literature and also published reports on the traditional medicinal uses of the plants.    A. Ahmed, A. Guma'a tuberosum. The selected parts were roots. The number of the flavonoid compounds of the selected members of family Solanaceae in the roots were (83) compounds. The flavonoid compounds kaempferol and quercetin were reported by many authors in many species such as William et al. [8], Buttery et al. [9], Chil [2] and Ojong et al. [10]. This result was not confirmed in the present study. The number of the flavonoid compounds in the roots of Lycopersicum esculentum were (31) (Figure 1), the numbers of the flavonoid compounds in the roots of Solanum melongena were (20) (Figure 2) and the number of the flavonoid compounds in the roots of Solanum tuberosum were (32) (Figure 3). Some authors Barceloux [11]; Slimested et al. [12] reported the occurrence quercetin and kaempferol in the fruits of Lycopersicum esculentum but not in the roots of this species. The flavonoid compounds 9-octadecenal, (Z) and lauric acid chloride occurred only in the roots of Solanum melongena [1]. Donatus et al. [13] detected the flavonoid 9-octadecenoic acid-1,2,3-propanetriy ester E,E,E.
this was reported in the present study.

Conclusion
Roots are preferred because of their high flavonoid contents, it can be prepared in daily meals since some of components have many benefits as strengthening muscles, antioxidant and antifungal. The modern health care services in South Kordofan and Blue Nile are not adequate because of few care centers and hospitals and most people cannot afford to buy drugs prescribed due to their low income. Roots of the selected members of family Solanaceae were recommended because of their high medicinal contents. Due to this information flavonoids can be used as antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and strengthen of muscles beside antioxidants to prevent the most types of cancers.