Abstract

Cuscuta australis is a weed parasitic plants and its seeds are rich of many mineral elements, organic and inorganic acids. The current study was conducted with the aim of detecting the beneficial chemical compounds in the seeds of C. australis parasitizing on basil plants. Plant parasite samples were collected from one of the basil growers' fields in Al-Mishkhab region (44.5 E°, 31.89 N°, 177 m elevation from sea level), then they were separated from the host and its seeds were purified. Hexane was used to separate and isolate compounds by GC-MS as well as micro- and macro-mineral elements, dyes, plant hormones, protein, fats, carbohydrates, fibers, sugars, total phenols, and amino acids were estimated. Results of seed analysis by Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showed the presence of ten common compounds of medical and nutritional importance. There were differences in the concentrations of the estimated micro- and macro elements. Detected hormones, plant dyes, food compounds, and amino acids had significant concentrations. The process of detecting chemical compounds in the seeds of C. australis parasitized on the basil plant was full of many compounds. The methodological importance of this work will provide a great opportunity to find alternatives from the agricultural environment which can be used in therapeutic, nutritional, and industrial aspects in the future.