Multivariate analysis of microscopic elements of Hyoscyamus muticus L. Subsp. falezlez (Coss.) Maire, powder from Algeria

Hyoscyamus Muticus L. Subsp. Falezlez (Coss.) Maire is a toxic species, very well represented in the Algerian Sahara. It is one of the richest Solanaceae in tropanic alkaloids with pharmaceutical and economic interests. Microscopic test plays a leading role in species identification and was recently associated with statistical analyses. The work aims to study the microscopic characteristics of this plant from three harvesting stations in Saharan Algeria. Microscopic examination concerned all the organs' powder of the plant and was supplemented by a multivariate analysis study of elements. The distribution of microscopic elements was assessed using the analysis of main components (PCA). The associations between microscopic elements and the observations were made by dimension reduction analysis. The results of the botany essay revealed a high degree of structural variability, in addition to the elements usually found during microscopic observation, some elements identified during our analysis have been cited rarely in the literature, like sclerosis fibers and prisms that were numerous in our samples. Certain elements were not mentioned, like cluster prism crystal of calcium oxalate, multicellular glandular trichome, and the bulky single-cell trichome element with a rounded tip. The multivariate study allowed us to classify elements powder depending on the degree of correlation. It also facilitated the identification by developing a key of two groups and two subgroups of elements powder (depending on the presence or absence of some elements). At the end of our study, the results contributed to enriching the plant botany data.