Abstract

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloïdes (Lam.) is used for some health purposes in Burkina Faso. However, human action threatened this species in its native environment and its regeneration is difficult by the way of population. The main focus of this study is to discriminate samples of zanthoxyloïdes from different plant populations in order to find good specimens for traditional medicine and thus contribute to the conservation of this species. Plant materials were collected from three study sites named Niangoloko, Orodara and Sidéradougou. Samples powder, mixed with potassium bromide was used for the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) analysis. Multivariate data analysis was performed to highlight differences in the spectral profile among plant organs. Then, vanillic acid characteristic signals in infrared were identified by using literature data. Results showed that leaf and stem bark spectra were significantly different (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) among the study sites, while root bark spectra were almost identical (p = 1.72). Root bark and stem bark both indicated similar patterns under vanillic acid characteristic signals. The use of stem bark instead of roots can be a substitute for root to the sustainable management of this species in its native environment.

Key words: Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloïdes, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, multivariate data analysis, vanillic acid.