Bioprospecting and phytochemical profiles of native tropical peatland tree species from the restoration area

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peatland restoration using native peatland tree species usually recommended due to their adaptability to the environment. However, not only ecological, the restoration success also influenced by the economic livelihood of people around the forest. Thus, studies on the exploration of native trees bioprospecting potential is important based on phytochemical properties. The study objectives investigated trees bioprospecting potential based on phytochemical properties by analyzing the composition of phytochemical and properties of antioxidant from leaves of four native peatland tree species. METHODS: The leaves of the peatland tree species were sampled from tropical peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia and extracted using ethanol. Phytochemical components, total phenolic, and flavonoid of the leaves were identified and quantified using Liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry. While, antioxidant potential was evaluated through the method of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging.FINDINGS: The characterization shows that the dominant compounds belong to the flavonoid and phenolic group. Among the four species, Dyera polyphylla and Notaphoebe coriacea exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, with antioxidant activity index values up to 4.77 and 3.20, respectively. While, Rubroshorea balangeran and Metroxylon sago, showed a strong and moderate antioxidant activity, respectively. The relationship between antioxidant activity and total flavonoid contents showed a notable positive correlation (probability value < 0.05 and correlation coefficient = 0.68). This result is possibly influenced by the presence of bioactive compounds such as coumarin, quercetin, kaempferol and rutin. The bioactive compounds found in this study are promising for pharmaceutical development. Also, bioprospecting potential of the compound in this study is directly and indirectly could support the sustainability of peatland restoration effort by preserving the ecosystem services, carbon stocks and contribute to forest-dependent people’s livelihood.CONCLUSION: This study provides the first report on the secondary metabolites of four native tropical peatland tree species, highlighting their antioxidant and bioprospecting potential. These findings hopefully could contribute to the development of natural products as well as the successful peatland restoration efforts.