Unveiling the seasonal phytochemical richness and FT-IR profiling of Suaeda fruticosa and Suaeda nudiflora species from North Gujarat region

Halophytic plants serve as vital and essential sources of natural products for human health, possessing significant potential for the development of novel pharmaceuticals. Halophytes encounter severe heat and salinity stress, which stimulates the synthesis of secondary metabolites to mitigate the stress. Halophytes are distributed from coastal regions to desert regions throughout the world. This study commenced with the selection of two valuable edible halophytes: Suaeda fruticosa (Forssk. Ex. J. F. Gmel.) and Suaeda nudiflora (Willd.) Moq. belonging to the Amaranthaceae family and are extensively found in the North Gujarat regions, India. Phytochemical study of the stem and leaves components of both species during the summer and rainy seasons was conducted to analyse metabolites such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, steroids, coumarins, and terpenoids. Also investigate total phenolic, total flavonoid, total tannin, and total steroid contents along with spectrophotometric analysis. A comparative analysis of both species with seasonal change reveals differing quantities of phytochemical contents in their respective portions. During the summer season, both species exhibit a greater concentration of bioactive chemicals compared to the rainy season due to their ability to withstand elevated stress levels during this period. The primary phytochemical study indicates that nearly all groups are present in methanol, water, chloroform, and ethyl acetate in the leaves and stem sections of both species, with S. nudiflora exhibiting superior phytochemical content compared to S. fruticosa. The results based on FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of functional groups like alcohol, phenol, aliphatic, anhydrides, aromatics, amide, cyclic ether, saturated aliphatic lipids and aliphatic amines. Both Suaeda species are significant sources of many bioactive compounds, which can be utilised in the pharmaceutical sector and medication formulation.