VARIATION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS OF TWO GENOTYPES OF Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews GROWN IN ACAHUAL

Abstract

Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) cultivated in the Totonacapan region, Mexico, is produced in different management
systems where the crop conditions may modify the accumulation of phytochemicals in the different
plant organs. In the present study the variation of the accumulation profile of phytochemicals in
different organs of the plant of two genotypes of vanilla was analyzed under cultivation in acahual
in the Totonacapan region. Vegetative (leaf and stem) and reproductive structures (flower,
green and cured fruit) of genotype III and genotype VI were used. The concentration of total
phenolics, total tannins, condensed tannins, total flavonoids, saponins and total triterpenes
were quantitated in all tissues by spectrophotometric methods. Significant differences were
found in most of the phytochemical variables associated with the tissues by genotype. The
Biplot analysis of Principal Components allowed to identify the phytochemical variables that
defined different phytochemical accumulation profiles for each genotype under cultivation in
acahual.