Chemosystematic implications based on metabolic profiling of the genus Byrsonima (Malpighiaceae)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile of Byrsonima using metabolomics and high-resolution mass spectrometry to better understand the chemical diversity in this clade, comparing these results to the classification and more recent phylogenetic systematics of the genus. We analysed fragments of stem bark from 42 specimens of fifteen Byrsonima species using HPLC-DAD-MS. The species used were Byrsonima affinis, B. arthropoda, B. basiloba, B. chrysophylla, B. coccolobifolia, B. crassifolia, B. cydoniifolia, B. intermedia, B. pachyphylla, B. rigida, B. salzmanniana, B. sericea, B. spicata, B. umbellata and B. verbascifolia, derived from two traditional subgenera of Byrsonima: subg. Byrsonima and subg. Macrozeugma. The data were processed, aligned and evaluated statistically using multivariate analysis. Thirty-seven compounds were characterized, confirming the homogeneous chemical profile of Byrsonima and that the subgeneric classification should be reviewed. The chemical homogeneity in Byrsonima could be related to the presence of galloyl esters, which inhibit oxidation reactions for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Galloyl ester compounds have been considered chemical markers of recently diversified groups and galloyl derivatives could be an important strategy for plant survival. The results also suggest that this genus belongs to a recent lineage within the Malpighiaceae.