POLIMORFISMUL BIOCHIMIC LA PLANTELE GENULUI MENTHA

Abstract

Electrophoretic protein profiles, oil composition and morphological traits were used to study the genetic diversity of wild-growing Mentha spicata and four hybrids from the collection of mint of the Moldova State University. It was found out that forms with different origin and morphological peculiarities are characterized by a similar essential oil composition, rich in the carvone 60-65% and menthol 58-70%. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed 30 polypeptide components with relative molecular weights in a range of 14,15-90,0 kDa, which showed molecular heterogeneity average of 43%. A negative correlation was found among morphological parameters (inflorescence, leaf and plant length) of Mentha spicata and quantity of the main terpenoid - carvone. Also, a more pronounced protein polymorphism was established in the wild-growing form.