A rapid preparative-TLC/GC-MS methodology for discriminating between two filmy ferns (Hymenophyllaceae) native from the temperate rain forest of Southern Chile based on their soluble carbohydrates

Abstract

Filmy ferns are a conspicuous epiphytic component of the temperate rain forest of southern Chile and the more abundant genus is Hymenophyllum represented by 19 species, they are a primitive fern family sharing their limited water lost control (poikilohydricity) with lower non-vascular plants, such as bryophytes and lichens. Because, carbohydrate accumulation is a desiccation tolerance mechanism proposed for desiccation-tolerant vascularized plants, the aim of this investigation was to propose a methodology for soluble carbohydrate analysis in native ferns. Preparative- TLC showed to be a simple and rapid technique for separating Hymenophyllum sugars. GC-MS analysis allowed identifying glucitol (2.0%), sucrose (2.0%),  or -melibiose (5.0%) and salidroside (4.4%) in H. cruentum carbohydrate profile from H. dentatum showed significant differences presenting only two sugars sucrose (1.4%) and  or -melibiose (3.2%). Furthermore, salidroside, an antioxidant compound, was identified only in H. cruentum. Our results suggest that H. cruentum, has higher preventive mechanisms than H. dentatum; that would allow delay the effects of desiccation (prevent a rapid dehydration) and thus survive to short periods of drought present in the study area. Due to the presence of salidroside in H. cruentum this species should be more resistant to oxidative stress that H. dentatum