Impact of geographical habitat and soil characteristics on morphological features, phytochemical composition and enzymatic activities of Erodium glaucophyllum

Abstract The impact of geographical habitat and soil types on morphological aspect, phytochemical composition and enzymes activity of Erodium glaucophyllum was assessed. Different soil textures were identified including sandy loam, clay and sandy clay loam. The plants exhibiting the highest degree of morphological development were identified in the Gabes region. The best nutrient composition value was recorded for the Gafsa and the Gabes regions. Among the mineral elements detected, the highest amounts of Mg and Ca were found in the Sidi Bouzid region with 29.61 and 50.07 mg kg−1, respectively. They depended on geographical location, altitude, average rainfall and the physiological condition of the plant. Plants from the Gafsa region exhibited the highest levels of phenolic and flavonoid contents measuring 187.47 mg GAE/g and 29.76 mg QE/g, respectively. Antioxidant activity was in accordance with total phenols of the three localities and the lowest IC50 values for DPPH scavenging and FRAP assay was recorded for the Gafsa region. The findings demonstrated that the studied species has the potential to serve as a valuable ecological natural source for bioactive antioxidant compounds. Furthermore, it shows promise as an alternative source for the production of β-amylase, L-asparaginase and lipoxygenase.