CO<sub>2</sub> Enrichment Alters the Phytochemical Composition of <i>Centella asiatica</i>: GC-MS Analysis
<i>Centella asiatica</i> (L.) Urban is a medicinal herb containing valuable bioactive compounds widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and traditional medicine applications. This study investigated the effects of elevated CO<sub>2</sub> levels (1000, 800, and 600 ppm compar...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/6/692 |
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| Summary: | <i>Centella asiatica</i> (L.) Urban is a medicinal herb containing valuable bioactive compounds widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and traditional medicine applications. This study investigated the effects of elevated CO<sub>2</sub> levels (1000, 800, and 600 ppm compared to ambient ~420 ppm) on secondary metabolite composition in <i>C. asiatica</i> using GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extracts. Significant treatment effects (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were observed across nine identified compounds, with α-copaene showing the most pronounced response. At 1000 ppm CO<sub>2</sub>, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including α-copaene (10.60%) and <i>trans</i>-caryophyllene (8.97%), reached their highest concentrations, representing 232% and 413% increases over ambient conditions, respectively. Germacrene D demonstrated optimal synthesis at 800 ppm (8.12%) while remaining undetectable under ambient conditions. In contrast, the diterpene neophytadiene (16.84%) and the oxygenated sesquiterpene caryophyllene oxide (11.27%) exhibited maximum concentrations under ambient conditions. Principal Component Analysis confirmed distinct metabolic profiles, with the first two components explaining 84.38% of the total variance. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships (r > 0.85, <i>p</i> < 0.001) between structurally related sesquiterpenes. These findings establish a foundation for optimizing cultivation conditions to enhance specific bioactive compound production in <i>C. asiatica</i>, with potential applications in pharmaceutical production systems targeting sesquiterpene-derived medicines. The research demonstrates that atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> modulation offers a promising strategy for targeted enhancement of secondary metabolite synthesis, though further investigation of molecular mechanisms and environmental interactions is necessary for commercial implementation. |
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| ISSN: | 2311-7524 |