A comparative study of organic and conventional production methods on biomass accumulation and bioactive compounds content in Centella asiatica (L.) Urban in Vietnam

Rationale

Centella asiatica is a widely cultivated herb in South and Southeast Asia, recognized for its considerable nutritional value in these regions. In traditional ethnomedicine, this plant has been reported to possess significant medicinal properties. Triterpenoids from C. asiatica have emerged as key bioactive constituents with notable potential for modern therapeutic applications.

Objectives

We therefore aimed to evaluate cultivation practices for the production of bioactive compounds, with the goal of minimizing environmental impacts and promoting safe and sustainable agriculture.

Materials and methods

A comparative study was carried out in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam, to assess the efficacy of conventional versus organic production techniques in cultivation of C. asiatica. Fresh and dried samples from each cultivation system were harvested at intervals of approximately 4–6 weeks throughout all seasons over the two-year study period. Each batch was subsequently extracted, and the concentrations of the key bioactive triterpenoids (madecassic acid, asiatic acid, and terminolic acid) were systematically quantified to capture seasonal and temporal variations in compound accumulation.

Results

We found that the optimal period for obtaining the highest concentration of bioactive compounds in C. asiatica was from June to September, corresponding with warmer and drier climatic conditions. The content of madecassic acid was notably high in the first year, under either growing condition, surpassing the levels typically found in a broad range of C. asiatica accessions.

Conclusions

These results showed that the switch to an organic production method was not detrimental to the accumulation of valuable bioactive compounds. Implementation of these results has the potential to enhance the economic and social value of C. asiatica while reducing the reliance on agrochemicals, thereby minimizing their adverse effects on the environment and the health of farmers.