Changes in the phytochemical content of the Cappers Collected from of different microclimates

Capers (Capparis spinosa) are one of the valuable medicinal plants that can grow in a wide range of ecological situations. In order to investigate the effect of climate on the physiological compounds of this plant, plant samples were collected in late summer with three replications from the mountainous areas of Amol city (Nemarestaq, Delarestaq and Behrestaq) at four altitudes with a difference of 150 meters (minimum altitude 850 meters). Some physiological traits of leaves and fruits were measured and analyzed by compound analysis in a completely randomized design. Data analysis showed that all the measured traits were affected by climate and were statistically significant, so that the highest amount of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, vitamin C, phenol, flavonoids, anthocyanins, antioxidants at an altitude of 1650 meters in Behrestagh region with 6.75, 10.56, 3.59, 15.60, 24.66 mg/g fresh weight, 4.51, 2.55 μmol/g fresh weight and 81.78% inhibition, respectively, and the lowest was observed at an altitude of 850 meters in Nemarstagh area. Regression slope also proved the significant relationship between traits and region and altitude, and antioxidant capacity which is the most important medicinal property of this plant, along with chlorophyll a, had the highest relationship (r² = 0.93). Also, the analysis of Pearson simple correlation coefficients showed a positive and significant effect between the traits. In general, with increasing altitude, an increase in the amount of measured physiological compounds that have medicinal effects was observed, so it is possible to develop the cultivation of some medicinal plants close to this family in the highlands.