# Metabolomic Profiling of Seasonal Katsumadin Production in Ternstroemia lineata

## TL;DR

This study tracks the seasonal production of katsumadin in Ternstroemia lineata and finds it has antibacterial properties, especially during the dry season.

## Contribution

The study reveals the seasonal and organ-specific production of katsumadin and its antibacterial activity for the first time in Ternstroemia lineata.

## Key findings

- Katsumadin levels in leaves peak at 1.5 mg/g DW during the dry season and drop to undetectable levels during the rainy season.
- Floral buds show the highest katsumadin content (6.09 mg/g DW), followed by fruits and flowers.
- Katsumadin exhibits antibacterial activity against Salmonella Typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 0.5 mg/mL.

## Abstract

Metabolomic profiling of the leaves, floral buds, flowers, and fruits of Ternstroemia lineata was conducted across the dry and rainy seasons in Mexico. The presence of katsumadin was determined and its antibacterial activity was evaluated. Multivariate data analysis was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Katsumadin was identified by 1H NMR and, quantified by HPLC, and its antibacterial activity was assessed using a microdilution assay. The results revealed conserved 1H NMR signals among leaf, flower buds, flowers and fruits, as well as signals that were either organ-specific or time-dependent. The spatial and temporal distribution of katsumadin was monitored over a nine-month period. During the dry season, katsumadin reached 1.5 mg/g DW in the leaves, whereas it was not detected during the rainy season. Higher katsumadin contents were observed in floral buds, fruits, and flowers (6.09 ± 0.10, 3.0 ± 0.79, and 3.4 ± 0.42 mg/g DW, respectively). In addition, katsumadin was evaluated against Salmonella Typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, exhibiting a minimum inhibitory concentration and bactericidal effect at 0.5 mg/mL.