Open Access

ARTICLE

Early Chemodiversity of Alkaloids in Seedlings Annona Species

Iván De-la-Cruz-Chacón, Christian Anabí Riley-Saldaña, Marisol Castro-Moreno, Claudia Azucena Durán-Ruiz, Alma Rosa González-Esquinca^*

Laboratorio de Fisiología y Química Vegetal, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, 29039, Chiapas, México

* Corresponding Author: Alma Rosa González-Esquinca. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Secondary Metabolism and Functional Biology Volume II)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2025, 94(11), 3509-3526. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2025.072586

Received 30 August 2025; Accepted 10 October 2025; Issue published 01 December 2025

Abstract

The seedling phase represents an initial and critical stage for the establishment of individuals in the ecosystem. During this stage, specialized metabolites contribute to survival; however, studies analyzing the presence of these molecules and the reasons for their production and accumulation are still scarce. Annonaceae is a botanical family recognized for the chemodiversity of its secondary metabolites; nearly 1000 alkaloids have been reported in approximately 150 adult specimens. The aim of this study was to determine whether alkaloid biosynthesis in Annonaceae is expressed from early stages. For this purpose, Annona macroprophyllata, Annona muricata, Annona purpurea, and Annona reticulata seedlings, tropical Annonaceae with a history of alkaloids in adult stages, were studied. Alkaloids were extracted using the selective acid-base method from roots, stems, and leaves of seedlings with one to two pairs of leaves. The chemical composition analysis was performed using gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrum. The identity of molecules was confirmed with standards and bibliographical references. Alkaloids were detected in the tissues of all species, and 28 of these metabolites were identified, 92% with a benzylisoquinoline structure. Many of them have reports of various biological activities. These alkaloids are not derived from the mother plant, as no alkaloids were found in the seeds. Nine, nine, eight, and twenty alkaloids were detected in seedlings of A. macroprophyllata, A. muricata, A. reticulata, and A. purpurea, respectively. The roots of all species are the organs with the most alkaloids (both in abundance and chemical richness). In conclusion, alkaloid metabolism is expressed during the early development stages in Annonaceae and could be associated with the chemical defense theory. These findings enhance our understanding of how seedlings use chemical strategies to adapt to their environment. They also demonstrate that seedlings can produce active compounds, even when grown under controlled conditions.

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