Comparative Metabolite Profiling of Sauropus androgynus (L) Merril: Influence of Hydroponic and Soil Cultivation on Alkaloid and Triterpenoid Composition

Abstract

Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merrill is a medicinal plant that holds significant therapeutic value. This study investigates the impact of hydroponic cultivation on the phytochemical profile of Sauropus androgynus (L). Merrill, in comparison to traditional soil-based farming. The main emphasis is on the compositions of alkaloids and triterpenoids. The plants were cultivated in controlled hydroponic and potting soil conditions, and the harvested leaves underwent analysis through High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) for fingerprint profiling and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) for quantitative assessment. Results indicate that hydroponic cultivation significantly modifies the secondary metabolite composition of S. androgynus. LC-MS findings revealed elevated levels of important alkaloids, including pseudoephedrine, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, and L-(1-naphthyl) thiourea and identified prominent triterpenoids such as betulinic, ganoderic, and oleanolic acids in both cultivation systems, although their concentrations differed based on the growing method. HPTLC fingerprinting supported these variations, displaying unique banding patterns for samples grown hydroponically versus those grown in soil. Overall, these findings emphasise the significant impact of cultivation methods on the phytochemical profile relevant to medicinal benefits and safety in S. androgynus, advocating for hydroponics as an effective approach to cultivating valuable, metabolite-rich medicinal plants sustainably.