Phytochemical and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Selected Asparagaceae Plants: Implications for Bioactive Compound Utilization

We investigated the phytochemical content and genetic diversity of five Asparagaceae plant species, focusing on their potential as sources of bioactive compounds. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were quantified, revealing significant variability among species. Furcraea watsoniana exhibited the highest phenolic (14.61 mg·g –1 ) and tannin (22.99 mg·g –1 ) levels, whereas Yucca filamentosa showed the highest flavonoid content (18.13 mg·g –1 ). 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazl radical scavenging activity correlated with phytochemical richness, further confirming the antioxidant potential of these plants. Genetic diversity was assessed using sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers, generating 83 bands with 93.98% polymorphism. Three distinct clusters of plants were identified through cluster analysis based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient. These clusters correspond to the plants’ genetic and phytochemical characteristics. Furcraea watsoniana was genetically distinct, aligning with its superior bioactive compound content. The results highlight the therapeutic and nutraceutical potential of F. watsoniana and Y. filamentosa resulting from their high levels of bioactive compounds and genetic uniqueness. Our findings also emphasize the influence of genetic diversity on secondary metabolite production. Additional studies integrating environmental factors are recommended to optimize bioactive compound yields for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.