A comparative phytochemical profile of the Gunneraceae

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Abstract
Two species representative of the Gunneraceae (Gunnera densiflora and G. manicata) were examined for the presence of alkaloids, anthocyanins, caffeic acid, cyanogenic glucosides, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, iridoids, proantho-cyanidins, quercetin, saponins, and sedoheptulose. Caffeic acid, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, and quercetin were detected, whereas alkaloids, iridoids, proanthocyanidins, saponins, and sedoheptulose were lacking. Two anthocyanins (pelargonidin 3,5-diglucoside and an undetermined cyanidin glycoside) were detected only in G. densiflora. A comparative biochemical profile and a phytochemical similarity index of the Gunneraceae and six putatively related families (Haloragaceae, Saxifragaceae, Hippuridaceae, Onagraceae, Apiaceae, and Urticaceae) is provided. The Onagraceae was found to have the greatest phytochemical similarity (0.71), followed by Haloragaceae and Saxifragaceae (0.54), Apiaceae and Urticaceae (0.33), and Hippuridaceae (0.25). The affinity between the Gunneraceae and Onagraceae suggested by phytochemical characters is not supported by embryological and paly nological evidence. Therefore, this relationship should be considered tenuous until additional comparative data are available.