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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

Multivariate statistical validation of HPTLC fingerprints for the authentication and valorisation of Ricinus communis L. vegetative tissues as a superior bioactive source for arthritis management

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14466
Submitted
8 March 2026
Published
27-07-2026 — Updated on 04-08-2026
Versions

Abstract

Ricinus communis L. is globally recognised for its industrial seed oil; however, the secondary metabolite profile of its vegetative tissues remains underutilised. This study provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of the phenolic, flavonoid and terpenoid composition in methanolic extracts of R. communis leaf and bark using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with densitometric scanning at 254 nm using both 2D and 3D modes. Using ursolic acid, quercetin and gallic acid as reference markers, we resolved distinct phytochemical fingerprints, revealing higher chemical complexity in bark (26 peaks) compared to leaves (15 peaks). Bark extracts showed significant enrichment of chlorogenic/feruloylquinic acid esters (28.13 %) and sinapic acid esters (19.21 %), while leaf extracts were dominated by hydroxycinnamic esters (34.04 %) and rutin-type flavonoid glycosides (26.83 %). To ensure analytical validity, we employed a robust statistical framework including Pearson correlation matrices, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrograms using software OriginPro 2024. Chromatographic separation was validated by a significant positive correlation between peak number and Rf values (r = 0.911, p < 0.01), while quantitative precision was confirmed via perfect correlation (r = 1.000) among normalised parameters. The HCA and heat map visualisation identified phenolic acids and flavonoid glycosides as the primary bioactive drivers, revealing distinct tissue-specific metabolic profiles. This study provides the first multi-dimensional statistical validation of HPTLC fingerprints for R. communis vegetative tissues, effectively transforming agricultural waste (bark) into a high-value source of bioactive markers. By establishing a standardised protocol for biomass authentication, these results offer a precise chemical foundation for pharmaceutical applications, particularly in chronic arthritis management.

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