Identification of Metabolite Compounds in Root and Stem Organs of Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.) Based on Histochemical Tests

Abstract

Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.) is a vegetable consumed by the Convolvulaceae family which is high in nutritional content such as vitamins A, B, C, and iron. This study was conducted to determine the anatomical structure of the roots and stems of water spinach as well as to determine the distribution of secondary metabolites using Sudan IV 0.03%, 10% NaOH, 1% FeCl3, and Wagner reagents. After testing with the four reagents, secondary metabolites were found which include lipids found in roots (endodermis), in stems (transport tissue, cortex, epidermis); flavonoids in roots and stems (cortex); tannins in roots (tissue transport, endodermis, epidermis), in stems (tissue transport and epidermis); and alkaloids in roots (cortex), in stems (tissue transport and epidermis).