摘要：AbstractPersea americanaMill (Lauraceae) is popular medicinal plant used for the treatment and management of a wide range of diseases. In this study, the foliar micromorphology, phytochemicals and elemental composition of two cultivars (Hass and Nigerian avocado pears denoted as ‘HAP’ and ‘NAP’, respectively) ofP. americanaleaves were evaluated. Fresh leaf samples were used for foliar examinations while oven-dried and ground leaves were used for phytochemicals, mineral content and micro-chemical properties. Macroscopic examination affirmed that both cultivars are closely-similar except in organoleptic attributes which confirm their remarkable differences. Moreover, both cultivars had anomocytic stomatal type, several unicellular, simple, non-glandular trichomes and irregular, polygonal to rectangular epidermal cell patterns. Quantitatively, HAP had higher cell density (111.35 ± 2.70), stomata density (38.30 ± 2.32), stomata width (17.11 ± 1.59 µm) and stomata index (25.59%) for abaxial surfaces. Qualitative phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and saponins in both cultivars, while tannins and terpenoids were only present in NAP. Elemental analysis revealed that both cultivars had important macro and micro minerals in varying quantities. The current comparative data for the two cultivars ofP. americanaleaves revealed the distinct anatomical features which can serve as a useful tool in distinguishing these closely-related plants.
关键词：KeywordsAvocado pearMedicinal plantHass pearPhytochemicalsMineral elementsMacroscopic traitsMicromorphology, quality control
