Identification of seven Zingiberaceous species based on comparative anatomy of microscopic characteristics of seeds

Most fruits of Alpinia, Amomum, and Elettaria in Zingiberaceae family are used in cooking and medicine in China [1]. In China, 51 species belong to the Alpinia genus, 39 species to the Amomum genus [2], and 1 species to the Elettaria genus [3]. The fruits of approximately 20 species in the Zingiberaceae were documented with text and drawing in detail in literature [3]. The species of Zingiberaceae was usually identified by the seed and fruit characteristics.

Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd., Alpinia katsumadai Hayata, Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. & Smith, Amomum kravanh Pierre ex Gagnep., Amomum subulatum Roxb., Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire and Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton are three different genera in the Zingiberaceae family. For all of these species, a fruit is a capsule with three locules that contain numerous seeds [4]. Their Chinese common names always include “doukou” as a suffix and their English common names sometimes include “cardamom” [1]. Because of their similar appearance and similar common names, these fruits have been confused with each other since ancient times [5].

Several studies focused on the anatomic structures and systematic significance of roots and leaves of plants from the Zingiberaceae. The morphological characteristics of roots and leaves were studied for the theoretical basis for determining the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships among species and genera [6‐8]. As seeds play a major role in providing continuity, as well as the potential for genetic variation, between successive generations of seed plants [9], the morphological structures of seeds, especially the seed coat, also have unique and relatively stable characteristics [10, 11]. This study aims to identify these seven species of Zingiberaceae family based on comparative anatomy of microscopic characteristics of seeds in transverse section.

Three batches of fruits and seeds of A. galanga, A. katsumadai, A. zerumbet, A. kravanh, A. subulatum, A. tsao-ko, and E. cardamomum were collected from Chinese herbal markets and spice retailers at Hehuachi in Chengdu, Shapingba in Chongqing, Qingping in Guangzhou, Kowloon City Market and Ko Shing Street in Hong Kong, and from an Indian spice market in Old Delhi. All samples were identified to the species level by Prof. Zhongzhen Zhao of Hong Kong Baptist University and Prof. Delin Wu of South China Botanical Garden based on traditional macroscopic identification which must rely on enough experience [3]. Samples and voucher specimens are deposited at the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Chinese Medicines Centre at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Macroscopic identification was conducted as described elsewhere [12]. We noted the appearance, color, odor, and taste of the samples, and took color digital photographs.

Seeds were fixed in FAA 70 for a minimum of 24 h. After fixing, the seeds were passed through graded solutions of ethanol (50%, 70%, 80%, 90%; absolute grade) (Sasma, The Netherlands) and xylene (50%; absolute grade) (Lab-Scan, Bangkok, Thailand), embedded in paraffin wax (Unichem Ltd. Chessington, UK) using the technique described by Ruzin [13], and finally cut into 15-μm-thick sections using a rotary microtome (Thermo Shandon, Cheshire, UK). Sections were stained with Safranin-T (Fluka, Brazil) and fast green FCF solution (Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA). Finally, they were sealed with Canada balsam (Sigma-Aldrich). At least ten different transverse sections from each sample were prepared and observed under Axioplan 2 and Axiophot 2 universal microscopes equipped with a reflector Axiophot photo module (Zeiss Group, Jena, Germany) with a Leica direct current (DC) camera.

Essential oils were isolated from seed and fruit samples by hydrodistillation to study the relationship between essential oil yield and the size of the oil cell layer for each species [4]. The collected plant materials were macerated with a copper mortar and pestle. The broken samples were subjected to 3 hours of hydrodistillation by a Clevenger-type apparatus. The volume of essential oils obtained was read directly from the apparatus.

The macroscopic features of Zingiberaceous fruits from species in the Alpinia, Amomum, and Elettaria genera can be summarized as follows: fruit a capsule, axile placentation, seeds with arils and numerous seeds attached to the central axis of an ovary with three locules. There is no distinct differentiation among these three genera based on the macroscopic features of the fruits and seeds.

Our results showed that the microscopic features of the seed coat, as observed in transverse sections, can be used to distinguish these three genera (Table 1). The hypodermis of the testa of seeds from species of the Alpinia genus has one or more layers of cells without pigment, while the hypodermis of testa of seeds from the Amomum and Elettaria genera has only one layer of cells with pigment. The distribution of oil cell layers and pigment layers differ among the three genera. Several layers of pigmented cells scattered with one to three layers of oil cells are features of seeds in the Alpinia genus. The yield of essential oil from these seeds was not more than 1% (vol/weight). Seeds in the Amomum genus have one layer of relatively large oil cells with several layers of pigmented cells at their inner sides. The typical essential oil yield from these seeds was more than 1% (vol/weight). Seeds in the Elettaria genus have one layer of large oil cells with one layer of obliterated cells at the inner side. These seeds had a significantly greater yield of essential oil, up to 7% (vol/weight). The volume of essential oil yielded from seeds will be useful for rapid genus identification. An anatomic key is listed in Table 2.

The position of inflorescences and the shape of bracteoles are the main characteristics distinguishing Alpinia, Amomum, and Elettaria genera. The microscopic features of seed coats, as observed in transverse sections, and the yield of essential oils, provide a taxonomic basis for distinguishing these species. Even though the seeds have similar morphological structures, it appears that different characteristics of each layer of the testa can distinguish each species among these three genera. The microscopic identification of seed coat characteristics in transverse sections is simple and reliable; and could be used to identify culinary spices and herbal medicines.

Seven species in the Zingiberaceae family could be identified based on comparative anatomy of microscopic characteristic of seeds in transverse section.