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Comparative Phytochemical Analysis of Five South African Bulbine Species Using Chromatography-Based Methods
Ramoagi T Segone1, Maxleene Sandasi1,2, Efficient Ncube1,2
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa.
Chemistry & Biodiversity
|June 17, 2026
Summary
This study chemically profiled five Bulbine species, identifying key compounds and species-specific markers. Findings support using aerial parts as substitutes for roots, aiding sustainable harvesting and species authentication.
Area of Science:
- * Plant chemistry and metabolomics.
- * Ethnobotany and traditional medicine.
- * Chemotaxonomy and biodiversity.
Background:
- * Bulbine species (Asphodelaceae) are vital in South African traditional medicine, primarily for skin and gastrointestinal issues.
- * While roots are traditionally used, the chemical composition of Bulbine leaves and rhizomes is less understood.
- * Five Bulbine species from the Eastern Cape were investigated for their medicinal potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To chemically profile metabolites in five Bulbine species using advanced analytical techniques.
- * To identify species-specific chemical markers for authentication.
- * To assess the potential of using non-root parts for medicinal purposes.
Main Methods:
- * High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC).
- * Liquid Chromatography–Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS).
- * Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS).
- * Chemometric analysis for data interpretation.
Main Results:
- * Tentative identification of 73 compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and anthraquinones.
- * Ubiquitous presence of phenylanthraquinones (knipholone, knipholone 6'-methyl ether) across species.
- * Identification of species-specific markers: bulbine-knipholone (B. abyssinica), gaboroquinones (B. frutescens), bulbnatalonosides (B. latifolia).
- * Rhizome chemistry showed conservation; root profiles offered robust inter-species differentiation.
- * B. frutescens and B. latifolia exhibited high chemical diversity; B. asphodeloides was rich in anthocyanins.
Conclusions:
- * Significant overlap in bioactive constituents between leaves, roots, and rhizomes suggests aerial parts can substitute for roots in traditional remedies.
- * Established a chemical basis for Bulbine species authentication.
- * Findings support sustainable harvesting by reducing reliance on destructive root and rhizome exploitation.
