Influence of rhizosphere and soil properties on antioxidants in selected Western Ghats medicinal plants

Abitha Benson; Kiyoon Kim; Melvin Joe Manoharan; Muniappan Ayyanar; Govindaraj Kamalam Dinesh; Balathandayutham Karthikeyan; Denver I. Walitang; Tongmin Sa

doi:10.18393/ejss.1990628

Influence of rhizosphere and soil properties on antioxidants in selected Western Ghats medicinal plants

Abstract

Soil physicochemical properties and rhizosphere microbial attributes may be associated with plant growth, metabolic activity, and the accumulation of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants. The phytochemical profiles of Sida rhombifolia, Phyllanthus rheedei, Hellenia speciosa and Arisaema tortuosum were assessed, and rhizosphere microbial activities and soil physicochemical properties were compared to explore possible associations among plant–site combinations. The differences observed here likely result from a combination of soil type, location, and plant species. Because species and sampling sites are confounded, these results indicate broad associations rather than effects unique to specific plant species. Endophytic Achromobacter, Cupriavidus, Acinetobacter, and Sphingomonas strains isolated from these plants were found to be positive for most of the plant growth-promoting traits. Alkaloid concentrations of the studied medicinal plants ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 g kg⁻¹ and flavonoid levels ranged from 1.2 to 1.7 g kg⁻¹. Differences in ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging capabilities were noted among the plant and location combinations that were sampled. The highest ABTS radical scavenging activity was observed in P. rheedei and was statistically comparable to H. speciosa. Lower DPPH IC₅₀ values were observed in A. tortuosum and H. speciosa, indicating comparatively higher DPPH radical scavenging capacity in these extracts. Important bioactive components such as 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, and 2-heptanol were detected by GC–MS analysis. Although principal component analysis (PCA) showed associations among soil characteristics, microbial activity, and phytochemical accumulation, these findings should be considered exploratory rather than conclusive.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Department of Science and Technology–Science and Engineering Research Board (DST–SERB), India

Project Number

SB/YS/LS-79/2013

Thanks

The authors thank the Department of Science and Technology–Science and Engineering Research Board (DST–SERB), India, for Grant No. SB/YS/LS-79/2013, titled “Development of endophytic bacterial consortium from selected medicinal plants of Western Ghats of India”.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Abitha Benson This is me
0009-0003-2524-0430
India

Kiyoon Kim This is me
0009-0004-0288-3860
South Korea

Melvin Joe Manoharan ^* This is me
0000-0003-3740-4239
India

Muniappan Ayyanar This is me
0000-0003-4685-6376
India

Govindaraj Kamalam Dinesh This is me
0000-0002-6605-9561
India

Balathandayutham Karthikeyan This is me
0000-0002-0853-1581
India

Denver I. Walitang This is me
0000-0001-5469-5838
Philippines

Tongmin Sa
0000-0001-7444-5852
South Korea

Publication Date

October 5, 2026

Submission Date

January 28, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1990628

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA39WH98EK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Benson, A., Kim, K., Manoharan, M. J., Ayyanar, M., Dinesh, G. K., Karthikeyan, B., Walitang, D. I., & Sa, T. (2026). Influence of rhizosphere and soil properties on antioxidants in selected Western Ghats medicinal plants. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(4), 517-528. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1990628

AMA

1.Benson A, Kim K, Manoharan MJ, et al. Influence of rhizosphere and soil properties on antioxidants in selected Western Ghats medicinal plants. EJSS. 2026;15(4):517-528. doi:10.18393/ejss.1990628

Chicago

Benson, Abitha, Kiyoon Kim, Melvin Joe Manoharan, et al. 2026. “Influence of Rhizosphere and Soil Properties on Antioxidants in Selected Western Ghats Medicinal Plants”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (4): 517-28. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1990628.

EndNote

Benson A, Kim K, Manoharan MJ, Ayyanar M, Dinesh GK, Karthikeyan B, Walitang DI, Sa T (October 1, 2026) Influence of rhizosphere and soil properties on antioxidants in selected Western Ghats medicinal plants. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 4 517–528.

IEEE

[1]A. Benson et al., “Influence of rhizosphere and soil properties on antioxidants in selected Western Ghats medicinal plants”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 517–528, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1990628.

ISNAD

Benson, Abitha - Kim, Kiyoon - Manoharan, Melvin Joe - Ayyanar, Muniappan - Dinesh, Govindaraj Kamalam - Karthikeyan, Balathandayutham - Walitang, Denver I. - Sa, Tongmin. “Influence of Rhizosphere and Soil Properties on Antioxidants in Selected Western Ghats Medicinal Plants”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/4 (October 1, 2026): 517-528. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1990628.

JAMA

1.Benson A, Kim K, Manoharan MJ, Ayyanar M, Dinesh GK, Karthikeyan B, Walitang DI, Sa T. Influence of rhizosphere and soil properties on antioxidants in selected Western Ghats medicinal plants. EJSS. 2026;15:517–528.

MLA

Benson, Abitha, et al. “Influence of Rhizosphere and Soil Properties on Antioxidants in Selected Western Ghats Medicinal Plants”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 517-28, doi:10.18393/ejss.1990628.

Vancouver

1.Abitha Benson, Kiyoon Kim, Melvin Joe Manoharan, Muniappan Ayyanar, Govindaraj Kamalam Dinesh, Balathandayutham Karthikeyan, Denver I. Walitang, Tongmin Sa. Influence of rhizosphere and soil properties on antioxidants in selected Western Ghats medicinal plants. EJSS. 2026 Oct. 1;15(4):517-28. doi:10.18393/ejss.1990628