Ecophysiological responses of Perilla frutescens (Linn.) Britt from the Indian Himalayan Region

To understand the effect of different environmental conditions on the biochemical properties of Perilla, three sites i.e., Udaibag, Papradi, and Dharkot at different altitudes viz. 472 m.a.s.l., 690 m.a.s.l. and 1082 m.a.s.l. were selected respectively. For biochemical analysis of the leaf and seed samples, the plant was harvested from the sites for two years (October 2014 and October 2015) and processed. Proximate study of the seeds showed that the seed oil is suitable for consumption. The concentration of omega-3 fatty acid varied significantly (p < 0.05) between the altitudes during both the years. The highest level (61.8%, 69.8%) of which was observed in the seeds collected from a higher elevation (Dharkot). The leaves and seeds of Perilla showed an increasing trend in the concentration of phenol and flavonoid from lower to a higher altitude. Whereas, the leaf extract showed less antioxidant activity and radical scavenging activity then seeds. The amino acid Proline and Methionine also showed the highest concentration in the samples of Dharkot. The result indicates that the prevailing environmental conditions in an area significantly affect the bioactive constituents of plants.