The variability of (Z)‐ and (E)‐2‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy‐4‐methoxycinnamic acids and apigenin glucosides in diploid and tetraploid Chamomilla recutita

Abstract (Z)‐ and (E)‐2‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy‐4‐methoxycinnamic acids (GM‐CA) belong to the main compounds of water‐alcoholic extracts of Chamomilla recutita. The quantities of GMCA and apigenin in anthodia (flower heads) of diploid and tetraploid C. recutita cultivars were studied. The ploidy of a plant does not significantly influence the percentage of GMCA, in contrast to the total GMCA content in anthodia of diploid and tetraploid cultivars. Progenies of selected tetraploid plants with significantly high (9.95 mg/g) and low (5.47 mg/g) contents of GMCA were also evaluated. The higher and lower values of GMCA were conserved in the progeny generation, with significant differences in GMCA content found between the two groups of progenies.