Genotypic and chemotypic relationships of Chiang Da

Abstract

Gymnema inodorum (Lour.) Decne or Chiang Da, the local northern Thai vegetable, is renowned for its anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic properties and is highly sought after by the functional food industry. This research investigated the relationship between physical characteristics, genetic variation, and chemical compositions of different Chiang Da accessions. Two commercial lines (COM1 and COM2) and eight local accessions (BAC1-8) of Chiang Da were gathered and maintained in the same study plot for the investigation of their morphological characteristics, genetic variation, nutritional and phytochemical constituents, along with their overall metabolite profiling. From the morphological data, the two commercial lines were clearly distinctive with their closely related leaf structures. Random amplification of the polymorphic illustrated the genetic diversity between the local accessions and commercial strains in a similar pattern as the morphological characteristics. The chemical characteristics, nonetheless, projected the two commercial types in the same groups of having highly nutritious, with higher antioxidant potential. The same relationship was also observed in their LC-MS metabolite profiling. The outcome of this study could be beneficial toward the selection of the Chiang Da strains for plant breeding programmes of functional food interest.