Next Article in Journal
Volatile Compounds of Nepeta nuda L. from Rtanj Mountain (Serbia)
Previous Article in Journal
Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QSB-6 on the Growth of Replanted Apple Trees and the Soil Microbial Environment
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Horticulturae
Volume 8
Issue 2
10.3390/horticulturae8020084
horticulturae-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Communication

Determination of Phenolic Compounds Using HPLC-UV Method in Wild Fruit Species

by
Ana-Maria Stoenescu
1,
Ion Trandafir
2 and
Sina Cosmulescu
3,*
1
Department of Biology & Environmental Engineering, Horticulture Faculty, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
2
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
3
Department of Horticulture & Food Science, Horticulture Faculty, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Horticulturae 2022, 8(2), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020084
Submission received: 27 December 2021 / Revised: 12 January 2022 / Accepted: 15 January 2022 / Published: 18 January 2022
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Plant parts of some spontaneous fruit species were analyzed by HPLC-UV method to determine their content in phenolic compounds. Buds, leaves, flowers, and fruits were harvested from 11 wild fruit species of medicinal, food, and therapeutic interest: European crab apple, European wild pear, blackthorn, dog rose, elder, dewberry, wild blackberry, cornelian cherry, red hawthorn, black hawthorn, and green strawberry. The studied species were analyzed for the presence and amount of phenolic compounds: flavonoids from the subclasses flavanols (catechin hydrate and epicatechin) and flavonols (rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol) together with phenolic acids belonging to the hydroxybenzoic acid subclass (ellagic, gallic, syringic, vanillic, and salicylic) and hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic, sinapic, p-coumaric, neochlorogenic, and chlorogenic). The obtained results confirm the presence of bioactive compounds in different plant parts in wild fruit species. The variability identified from one species to another, the different compositions of phenols within the species, provides useful data on the role of these plant parts in the human body.

1. Introduction

Phenolic compounds represent a class of intensively studied bioactive molecules, with numerous health benefits, used in the pharmaceutical industry for the treatment of various diseases; in the food industry as additives, natural preservatives, and dyes; in the cosmetic industry due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, offering protection against UV radiation; in the textile industry as natural dye; and in the packaging industry as a quality indicator [1]. Wild fruit species are of particular importance due to their properties and bioactive compounds [2] present in all plant parts (root, bark, buds, flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds, and kernels). Their usefulness in food, medicine, and therapy has long been researched, and the role of consuming fresh or processed fruits in various forms, as well as the use of other plant parts in treating various conditions, has attracted attention since ancient times [3]. Studies to date have shown that rosehip (Rosa canina) extracts contain phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, tannins, flavonoids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, minerals, galactolipids, and carotenoids [4,5]. Black hawthorn (Crataegus pentagyna) leaves and flowers contain high amounts of polyphenols with a beneficial antioxidant effect for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders [6]. Crataegus monogyna is a species with a high content of polyphenols with an antioxidant role, and the plant parts can be used either individually or in a mixture as a diuretic, antispasmodic, hepatoprotective, cardiotonic, and antioxidant [7]. Although blackthorns (Prunus spinosa) have a sour taste, they possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and are a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin C, polyphenols, and anthocyanins [8], being also used in the food preparation of jams or consumed fresh for the treatment of dysentery [9]. Malus sylvestris is a natural resource of bioactive compounds, polyphenols, and antioxidants, in some cases with a much higher content than Malus domestica [10]. European wild pear (Pyrus pyraster) has a high content of polyphenols, antioxidants, and flavonoids according to Savić et al. [11]. Sambucus nigra is a species rich in anthocyanins, vitamin A, B6, C, calcium, iron, tannins, and essential oils, and traditional medicine parts of the plant are used for their diuretic and laxative properties in treating various stomach ailments, sinus congestion, rheumatism, respiratory disorders, bronchitis, sore throat, cold, cough, asthma, constipation, diarrhea, dermatological conditions, hemorrhoids, pneumonia, edema, and oral disorders [12,13]. The genus Rubus is of food importance [9,14] used in pastry, salads, juices, jams, alcoholic beverages, syrups, teas, dyes, and natural preservatives; they are known for their nutritional (vitamins, folic acid, malic, succinic, oxalic, lactic, iron, magnesium, lipids, minerals, flavonoids, essential oils) and medicinal (antioxidant, tonic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, blood pressure regulation, used in treatment of gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, abscess disorders) value. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) has a high content of antioxidants, so it possesses intense antioxidant activity, flavonoids [15,16], polyphenols, tannins, sugars, pectin, anthocyanins, iridoids, ursolic acid, carotenoids, carbohydrates, and organic acids [17]. According to Nizioł-Łukaszewska et al. [18], the cornelian cherry fruit extract can be used successfully in the cosmetics industry due to its antioxidant properties. The fruits, leaves, flowers, and buds of spontaneous fruit species are traditionally used in the preparation of teas for the treatment of various ailments, in the form of tinctures, decoctions, and poultices, but also in culinary preparations, such as in jams, compotes, juices, vinegars, and alcoholic beverages. It is important to know the presence and the amount of each phenolic compound so that it can be used in the most beneficial way possible in the human body. This research aims to identify and quantify bioactive compounds from plant parts of wild fruit species that are adapted to climatic conditions and the ecosystem they belong to; are natural, without any chemical treatments; and can be a source of high-quality nutraceuticals.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Wild Fruit Species Samples

For this study, fruit species from spontaneous flora were selected, individuals belonging to populations from different areas of a forest ecosystem, the Bratovoesti forest (44°05′29.3″ N 23°54′00.2″ E) and its immediate vicinity, Dolj County, Oltenia Region, Romania: Crataegus monogyna (L.) Jacq.—red hawthorn, Crataegus pentagyna (L.) Waldst. et Kit.—black hawthorn, Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd.—European wild pear, Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.—European crab apple, Prunus spinosa (L.)—blackthorn/sloe, Rosa canina (L.)—dog rose, Sambucus nigra (L.)—elder, Rubus caesius (L.)—dewberry, Rubus fruticosus (L.)—wild blackberry, Fragaria viridis (L.) Weston—green strawberry, and Cornus mas (L.)—cornelian cherry. These species were chosen because of their importance in food, medicine, and therapy and their traditional use over time. The parts of the plant were harvested by hand from several individuals within the same species in order to have a high degree of homogeneity, in the order of vegetation phenophases as follows: flowering buds (BBCH 51), leaves and flowers (BBCH 65), and fruits (BBCH 87). The samples were carried to the laboratory and dried in an oven at 50 °C until the weight was stabilized on the balance.

2.2. Sample Preparation

To determine the phenolic compounds, 1 g of dry sample (skin and pulp of the fruit, buds, flowers, leaves) was weighed with a Radwag AS 220 RD analytical balance into centrifuge tubes over which 25 mL MeOH (100%) was added. The resulting mixtures were vortexed, then placed in a Fungilab ultrasonic bath for 30 min at 25 °C. The samples were stored overnight in a refrigerator (3 °C), after which they were placed for another 30 min in the ultrasonic bath and then centrifuged (Eppendorf Centrifuge 5430 R) for 5 min at 4000× g rpm, filtered, and placed in HPLC for analysis based on phenolic compound standards purchased from Sigma-Aldrich.

2.3. HPLC Analyses

Analysis of phenolic compounds was performed on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatograph (UltiMate 3000 XRS Liquid Chromatograph, Thermo Scientific, Waltham, USA) combined with a Dionex UltiMate 3000 XRS Autosampler, an XRS pump, and an RS Diode UV–VIS matrix detector, in the order of appearance on the chromatogram: gallic acid, neochlorogenic acid, (+)-catechin hydrate, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, (-)-epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, salicylic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. The mobile phase consisted of 1% aqueous acetic acid solution (B) and 100% MeOH (C). The samples were eluted with the following gradient: 90% B and 10% C from 0 to 6 min, 84% B and 16% C from 7 to 25 min, 72% B and 28% C from 26 to 37 min, 65% B and 35% C from 38 to 47 min, 50% B and 50% C from 48 to 64 min, and 90% B and 10% C from 65 to 70 min, to restore the initial conditions, before injection of a new sample. The flow rate was 0.8 mL/min, and the injection volume was 5 µL. The column used was Hypersil Gold (150 × 4.6) with the temperature maintained at 25 °C. The detection of phenolic compounds was performed by UV absorption at λ = 278 nm. Each compound was identified based on its retention time and by comparison with standards under the same conditions (Figure 1). All results were expressed in mg/100 g DW, and they represent the mean and standard deviation of three determinations.

3. Results

Phenolic compounds are important due to their properties against many diseases but also due to their applicability in many other industries. The species studied were analyzed regarding the presence and amount of phenolic compounds, that is, flavonoids from the subclasses flavanols ((+)-catechin hydrate and (-)-epicatechin) and flavonols (rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol) together with phenolic acids belonging to the subclass of hydroxybenzoic acids (ellagic, gallic, syringic, vanillic, and salicylic) and hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic, sinapic, p-coumaric, neochlorogenic, and chlorogenic). Regarding the flavonoid content (Table 1) of the plant parts of the studied wild fruit species, among the flavanols, catechin hydrate was identified to be at the highest amount in cornelian cherry fruits (268.16 mg/100 g DW), dog rose leaves (545.16 mg/100 g DW), and blackthorn flowers (494.94 mg/100 g DW), while epicatechin, at the highest amount, was identified in red hawthorn fruits (143.25 mg/100 g DW) and green strawberry leaves and flowers (778.11 and 120.03 mg/100 g DW, respectively).
Of these, large amounts of rutin in fruits (270.29 mg/100 g DW) and flowers (769.10 mg/100 g DW) were found in elder, while dog rose leaves had the highest value of 565.29 mg/100 g DW. Myricetin was the most abundant compared with the rest of the samples analyzed in European crab apple, with contents of 46.22 mg/100 g DW in fruits and 232.36 mg/100 g DW in leaves, while black hawthorn flowers had the highest content of 247.69 mg/100 g DW. Quercetin was identified only in elderberries, dewberry flowers, and blackthorn flowers and buds, while kaempferol was identified only in red hawthorn fruits, European crab apple leaves, dog rose, and blackthorn flowers. Phenolic acids also had a high degree of variability between species (Table 2). Among the representative phenolic acids, regarding the maximum amount of gallic acid identified, elderberries and green strawberry fruits (122.14 and 122.02 mg/100 g DW), cornelian cherry leaves (145.84 mg/100 g DW), and dog rose flowers (23.77 mg/100 g DW) were noted. Neochlorogenic acid was identified to be at the highest amount in black hawthorn fruits (95.57 mg/100 g DW), dog rose leaves (88.65 mg/100 g DW), and black hawthorn flowers (633.19 mg/100 g DW). Chlorogenic acid was noted in European crab apple fruits (249.78 mg/100 g DW), European wild pear leaves (656.78 mg/100 g DW), and elderflowers (807.42 mg/100 g DW). Syringic acid was identified in a single sample, namely, green strawberry leaves and flowers (131.01 and 29.05 mg/100 g DW, respectively). Salicylic acid was found in black hawthorn leaves with a value of 864.30 mg/100 g DW, and elderflowers with a value of 303.13 mg/100 g DW. The highest amount of ellagic acid was identified in green strawberry fruits (351.96 mg/100 g DW), European crab apple leaves (2537.69 mg/100 g DW), and dog rose flowers (278.17 mg/100 g DW). The different compositions regarding phenolic compounds are due to different species (e.g., genetic differences), but also due to the pedoclimatic characteristics, the age of the genotypes, and the time of sampling.

4. Discussion

The results obtained from this study highlight the presence of certain phenolic compounds in extracts of plant parts from spontaneous fruit species, compounds with an important role in human health. Thus, Mechchate et al. [19] cited the flavonoids catechin, epicatechin, and rutin as having a beneficial effect against diabetes, while Binang and Takuwa [20] cited rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol as active antihypertensive flavonoids. Six flavonoids were quantified in analyzed wild fruit species (Table 1). Regarding the presence of phenolic compounds in wild fruits, Cosmulescu et al. [21] confirmed the presence of myricetin at the highest amount in cornelian cherry fruits (30.54 mg/100 g FW), epicatechin in wild blackberry fruits (226.74 mg/100 g FW), quercetin in wild blackberry fruits (6.83 g/100 g FW), and catechin in blackthorn fruits (3.41 mg/100 g FW). For these compounds, the results obtained in this study are different, the genetic ability of the analyzed fruit species to produce these substances contributed most to their levels found in different parts of the plant, but also the associated interactions significantly contributed to the accumulation levels of the phenolic compounds. The highest amount of myricetin was found in the flower extract of C. pentagyna (247.69 mg/100 g DW), which makes this species an important source for myricetin due to its various health-promoting effects. Quercetin is a polyphenol substance with multidirectional activity in the human body [22]. As a result, P. spinosa could be considered an important source for this. Epicatechin is a natural flavonoid, and it has been reported to possess an immense antioxidant effect, which contributes to its therapeutic properties against a handful of ailments [23]. The largest amount of epicatechin was found in F. viridis (778.11 mg/100 g DW in leaves and 120.03 mg/100 g DW in flowers) (Table 1).
Additionally, Veličković et al. [24] mentioned quercetin and kaempferol as two important compounds present in blackthorn flowers, which confirms the results obtained from this study. Regarding the presence of flavonoids in different parts of the plant in S. nigra, Viapiana and Wesolowski [25] mentioned the presence in fruits, flowers, and leaves of rutin (0.44–6.45 mg/g DW in fruit infusion), myricetin (1.17–9.62 mg/g DW in flower infusion), quercetin (2.07–9.48 mg/g DW in flower infusion), and kaempferol (0.62–4.98 mg/g DW in fruit infusion). Our study showed that S. nigra can be an important source of flavonoids, the results are different considering the extraction method, and kaempferol was not detected in our study. Wild fruits have proven to be an important source for rutin, the highest amount identified in S. nigra (769.1 mg/100 g DW in flowers). Studies by Dawidowicz et al. [26] confirmed the presence of rutin in fruits (0.11 g/100 g), flowers (1.33 g/100 g), and leaves (0.07 g/100 g) of S. nigra. Phenolic acids are biologically active molecules; they are present in a wide range of plants and have commercial value in the cosmetic, health, and medicine industries due to their antiaging, antitumor, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Contardi et al. [27] support the importance and role of hydroxycinnamic acids in treating dermatological conditions (burns, wound healing, psoriasis, dermatitis, inflammation) and mentioned chlorogenic acid to be beneficial for prolonging the shelf life of food due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Eleven phenolic acids were quantified in different parts of the plant in the analyzed fruit species (Table 2). Gallic acid was present in most samples, with limits ranging from 0.43 (C. pentagyna fruits) to 145.84 (C. mas leaves) mg/100 g DW. Gallic acid is a natural phenolic compound found in several fruits and medicinal plants and is reported to have several health-promoting effects [28]. Given its wide distribution in the analyzed species, it is considered that wild species can also be an important source for this substance. Neochlorogenic, chlorogenic, and vanillic acids were also identified in different parts of the plant (Table 2), and there were significant differences due to different wild fruit species. The highest amount of neochlorogenic acid was identified in C. pentagyna flowers (633.19 mg/100 g DW), chlorogenic acid in S. nigra flowers (807.42 mg/100 g DW), and vanillic acid in C. mas leaves (95.22 mg/100 g DW). Oszmiański et al. [29] confirmed the presence of neochlorogenic acid (0.74 mg/g DW) and chlorogenic acid (0.44 mg/g DW) in leaf extracts of R. caesius species, together with ellagic acid (1.25 mg/g DW) and p-coumaric acid (0.11 mg/g DW), results that are relatively close to those obtained in this paper. Additionally, Andreotti et al. [30] confirmed the presence of chlorogenic and coumaric acids in the leaves of cultivated pear but in much larger quantities than those obtained in this paper from its wild relative. The chlorogenic acid identified in P. pyraster was close to that obtained by Li et al. [31] for fruit extracts of Pyrus spp. from China, mentioning this compound as the predominant one along with p-coumaric, vanillic, gallic, and ferulic acids (vanillic and ferulic acids were not identified in this analysis) among phenolic acids. Ellagic, caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and salicylic acids were identified in a large number of samples (Table 2). The ellagic acid content ranged from 3.79 (P. pyraster leaves) to 2537.69 (M. sylvestris leaves) mg/100 g DW, caffeic acid ranged from 0.32 (R. canina leaves) to 77.16 (C. mas leaves) mg/100 g DW, and ferulic acid ranged from 0.09 (C. monogyna flowers) to 229.79 (F. viridis flowers) mg/100 g DW. Regarding the results obtained for the phenolic compounds identified in wild fruits, Demir et al. [32] confirmed gallic (12.76 µg/g DW), catechin, chlorogenic, caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids in rosehips, compared with the results obtained from this research in which only gallic and ellagic acids were identified. Regarding the phenolic compounds that are present in the fruits and leaves of F. viridis, the results of this study are similar to those obtained by Olennikov et al. [33], who mentioned the presence of catechin (0.05 mg/g FW) in fresh ripe fruit, along with ellagic acid (0.12 mg/g FW), quercetin (0.02 mg/g FW), and kaempferol (0.01 mg/g FW). Syringic and sinapic acids were identified in a few samples (plant parts), syringic acid only in R. fruticosus (leaves) and F. viridis (leaves, flowers) in amounts ranging from 29.05 to 131.01 mg/100 g DW. Sinapic acid was found in the leaves of P. pyraster species, in the leaves and flowers of R. canina species, in the leaves of F. viridis species, and in the flowers of P. spinosa species, within limits of variation between 0.09 and 279.92 mg/100 g DW. Syringic acid is an excellent compound to be used as a therapeutic agent in various diseases (diabetes, CVDs, cancer, cerebral ischemia, neurological damage, and liver damage), and it shows antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiendotoxic activities [34]. Cosmulescu et al. [22] found significant amounts of syringic and sinapic acids in wild fruit extracts of P. spinosa. Sinapic acid shows antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antianxiety activities [35].

5. Conclusions

The results obtained from this paper provide additional information and confirm the presence of bioactive compounds in different plant parts of wild fruit species and the variability identified from one species to another. Knowing the role of these products in the human body, health, and personal care, wild fruit species can have great potential in the food industry as a source of dyes and flavors but also bioactive compounds, such as phenols in food supplements or functional foods. Owing to the presence of bioactive compounds, wild fruit species can ensure the strengthening of human immunity, and therefore, they provide health protection against the adverse effects of climate change, pollution, and pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additionally, wild fruit species have the advantage of being deprived of phytosanitary treatments as part of a natural ecosystem. The quantification and optimization of the flavonoid and phenolic acid contents of these wild fruit species and their extracts will be monitored for their commercial use in foods, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.C. and A.-M.S.; methodology, I.T.; validation, I.T.; investigation, S.C. and A.-M.S.; data curation, S.C. and A.-M.S.; writing—original draft preparation, S.C. and A.-M.S.; writing—review and editing, S.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Albuquerque, B.R.; Heleno, S.A.; Oliveira, M.B.P.; Barros, L.; Ferreira, I.C. Phenolic compounds: Current industrial applications, limitations and future challenges. Food Funct. 2021, 12, 14–29. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  2. Fernández-Ruiz, V.; Morales, P.; Ruiz-Rodríguez, B.M.; TorijaIsasa, E. Nutrients and bioactive compounds in wild fruits through different continents. In Wild Plants, Mushrooms and Nuts: Functional Food Properties and Applications; John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2017; pp. 263–314. [Google Scholar]
  3. Pieroni, A.; Nedelcheva, A.; Dogan, Y. Local knowledge of medicinal plants and wild food plants among Tatars and Romanians in Dobruja (South-East Romania). Genet. Resour. Crop Evol. 2015, 62, 605–620. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Lattanzio, F.; Greco, E.; Carretta, D.; Cervellati, R.; Govoni, P.; Speroni, E. In vivo anti-inflammatory effect of Rosa canina L. extract. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2011, 137, 880–885. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Kirkeskov, B.; Christensen, R.; Bügel, S.; Bliddal, H.; Danneskiold-Samsøe, B.; Christensen, L.P.; Andersen, J.R. The effects of rose hip (Rosa canina) on plasma antioxidative activity and C-reactive protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and normal controls: A prospective cohort study. Phytomedicine 2011, 18, 953–958. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Bedreag, C.F.G.; Trifan, A.; Bucur, L.A.; Arcus, M.; Tebrencu, C.; Miron, A.; Costache, I.I. Chemical and antioxidant studies on Crataegus pentagyna leaves and flowers. Rom. Biotechnol. Lett. 2014, 19, 9859. [Google Scholar]
  7. Chang, Q.; Zuo, Z.; Harrison, F.; Chow, M.S.S. Hawthorn. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 2002, 42, 605–612. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Sikora, E.; Bieniek, M.I.; Borczak, B. Composition and antioxidant properties of fresh and frozen stored blackthorn fruits (Prunus spinosa L.). Acta Sci. Pol. Technol. Aliment. 2013, 12, 365–372. [Google Scholar]
  9. Guarrera, P.M. Food medicine and minor nourishment in the folk traditions of Central Italy (Marche, Abruzzo and Latium). Fitoterapia 2003, 74, 515–544. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Mihailović, N.R.; Mihailović, V.B.; Kreft, S.; Ćirić, A.R.; Joksović, L.G.; Đurđević, P.T. Analysis of phenolics in the peel and pulp of wild apples (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.). J. Food Compost. Anal. 2018, 67, 1–9. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Savić, A.; Alimpić Aradski, A.; Duletić Laušević, S.; Marin, P. Antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of methanol extract of Pyrus pyraster fruit. In Proceedings of the 6th Balkan Botanical Congress, Rijeka, Croatia, 14–18 September 2015; Available online: http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2133 (accessed on 10 October 2021).
  12. Egea, T.; Signorini, M.A.; Bruschi, P.; Rivera, D.; Obón, C.; Alcaraz, F.; Palazón, J.A. Spirits and liqueurs in European traditional medicine: Their history and ethnobotany in Tuscany and Bologna (Italy). J. Ethnopharmacol. 2015, 175, 241–255. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Güler, B.; Manav, E.; Uğurlu, E. Medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Bozüyük (Bilecik–Turkey). J. Ethnopharmacol. 2015, 173, 39–47. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  14. Leporatti, M.L.; Ivancheva, S. Preliminary comparative analysis of medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine of Bulgaria and Italy. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2003, 87, 123–142. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Cosmulescu, S.; Cornescu, F. Variability in physical and chemical characteristics of Cornelian cherry fruits (Cornus mas L.) from Romanian Oltenia region’s spontaneous flora and role of the climatic conditions. Rev. Bras. Bot. 2020, 43, 677–682. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Cosmulescu, S.N.; Trandafir, I.; Cornescu, F. Antioxidant capacity, total phenols, total flavonoids and colour component of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) wild genotypes. Not. Bot. Horti Agrobot. Cluj-Napoca 2019, 47, 390–394. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  17. Dinda, B.; Kyriakopoulos, A.M.; Dinda, S.; Zoumpourlis, V.; Thomaidis, N.S.; Velegraki, A.; Dinda, M. Cornus mas L. (cornelian cherry), an important European and Asian traditional food and medicine: Ethnomedicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology for its commercial utilization in drug industry. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2016, 193, 670–690. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Nizioł-Łukaszewska, Z.; Wasilewski, T.; Bujak, T.; Gaweł-Bęben, K.; Osika, P.; Czerwonka, D. Cornus mas L. extract as a multifunctional material for manufacturing cosmetic emulsions. Chin. J. Nat. Med. 2018, 16, 284–292. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Mechchate, H.; Es-Safi, I.; Haddad, H.; Bekkari, H.; Grafov, A.; Bousta, D. Combination of catechin, epicatechin, and rutin: Optimization of a novel complete antidiabetic formulation using a mixture design approach. J. Nutr. Biochem. 2021, 88, 108520. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  20. Binang, K.; Takuwa, D.T. Development of reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for determination of selected antihypertensive active flavonoids (rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol) in medicinal plants found in Botswana. Phys. Sci. Rev. 2021. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Cosmulescu, S.; Trandafir, I.; Nour, V. Phenolic acids and flavonoids profiles of extracts from edible wild fruits and their antioxidant properties. Int. J. Food Prop. 2017, 20, 3124–3134. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  22. Shebeko, S.K.; Zupanets, I.A.; Popov, O.S.; Tarasenko, O.O.; Shalamay, A.S. Effects of quercetin and its combinations on health. In Polyphenols: Mechanisms of Action in Human Health and Disease; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2018; pp. 373–394. [Google Scholar]
  23. Abdulkhaleq, L.A.; Assi, M.A.; Noor, M.H.M.; Abdullah, R.; Saad, M.Z.; Taufiq-Yap, Y.H. Therapeutic uses of epicatechin in diabetes and cancer. Vet. World 2017, 10, 869–872. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Veličković, J.M.; Kostić, D.A.; Stojanović, G.S.; Mitić, S.S.; Mitić, M.N.; Ranđelović, S.S.; Đorđević, A.S. Phenolic composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the extracts from Prunus spinosa L. fruit. Hem. Ind. 2014, 68, 297–303. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  25. Viapiana, A.; Wesolowski, M. The phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of infusions of Sambucus nigra L. Plant Foods Hum. Nutr. 2017, 72, 82–87. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  26. Dawidowicz, A.L.; Wianowska, D.; Baraniak, B. The antioxidant properties of alcoholic extracts from Sambucus nigra L. (antioxidant properties of extracts). Food Sci. Technol. 2006, 39, 308–315. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Contardi, M.; Lenzuni, M.; Fiorentini, F.; Summa, M.; Bertorelli, R.; Suarato, G.; Athanassiou, A. Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives formulations for skin damages and disorders: A review. Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 999. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Kahkeshani, N.; Farzaei, F.; Fotouhi, M.; Alavi, S.S.; Bahramsoltani, R.; Naseri, R.; Bishayee, A. Pharmacological effects of gallic acid in health and diseases: A mechanistic review. Iran J. Basic Med. Sci. 2019, 22, 225. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  29. Oszmiański, J.; Wojdyło, A.; Nowicka, P.; Teleszko, M.; Cebulak, T.; Wolanin, M. Determination of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in leaves from wild Rubus L. species. Molecules 2015, 20, 4951–4966. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  30. Andreotti, C.; Costa, G.; Treutter, D. Composition of phenolic compounds in pear leaves as affected by genetics, ontogenesis and the environment. Sci. Hortic. 2006, 109, 130–137. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Li, X.; Wang, T.; Zhou, B.; Gao, W.; Cao, J.; Huang, L. Chemical composition and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of peels and flesh from 10 different pear varieties (Pyrus spp.). Food Chem. 2014, 152, 531–538. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Demir, N.; Yildiz, O.; Alpaslan, M.; Hayaloglu, A.A. Evaluation of volatiles, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of rose hip (Rosa L.) fruits in Turkey. LWT Food Sci. Technol. 2014, 57, 126–133. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Olennikov, D.N.; Vasilieva, A.G.; Chirikova, N.K. Fragaria viridis fruit metabolites: Variation of LC-MS profile and antioxidant potential during ripening and storage. Pharmaceuticals 2020, 13, 262. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  34. Srinivasulu, C.; Ramgopal, M.; Ramanjaneyulu, G.; Anuradha, C.M.; Kumar, C.S. Syringic acid (SA)—A review of its occurrence, biosynthesis, pharmacological and industrial importance. Biomed. Pharmacother. 2018, 108, 547–557. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  35. Nićiforović, N.; Abramovič, H. Sinapic acid and its derivatives: Natural sources and bioactivity. Compr. Rev. Food Sci. Food Saf. 2014, 13, 34–51. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Horticulturae 08 00084 g001 550
Figure 1. Diagram of the plant materials used and the general procedure.
Figure 1. Diagram of the plant materials used and the general procedure.
Horticulturae 08 00084 g001
Table
Table 1. Flavonoid content of studied wild fruit species in different plant parts.
Table 1. Flavonoid content of studied wild fruit species in different plant parts.
Species/PartFlavonoids mg/100 g DW *
C **ECRUTMYRQCTKP
Malus sylvestrisFr144.62 ± 21.36n.d.n.d.46.22 ± 2.64n.d.n.d.
Lv19.42 ± 1.14n.d.351.15 ± 19.15232.36 ± 14.25n.d.14.52 ± 0.10
Pyrus pyrasterFrn.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv44.93 ± 3.258.64 ± 0.56231.88 ± 10.2413.29 ± 1.10n.d.n.d.
Rosa caninaFrn.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv545.16 ± 15.47n.d.565.29 ± 26.1088.90 ± 4.30n.d.n.d.
Fl158.29 ± 11.3648.26 ± 2.65420.09 ± 16.2857.01 ± 2.48n.d.4.68 ± 0.05
Crataegus pentagynaFr13.63 ± 1.2037.28 ± 1.2534.56 ± 1.1026.25 ± 1.25n.d.n.d.
Lv8.59 ± 0.50n.d.233.65 ± 10.4753.02 ± 1.70n.d.n.d.
Fl225.10 ± 21.42n.d.140.28 ± 14.84247.69 ± 14.56n.d.n.d.
Crataegus monogynaFr31.18 ± 4.09143.25 ± 10.6443.50 ± 2.256.43 ± 0.50n.d.5.12 ± 0.05
Lv62.40 ± 6.49n.d.153.19 ± 4.5617.21 ± 0.80n.d.n.d.
Fl69.38 ± 6.23n.d.49.27 ± 2.3135.34 ± 2.84n.d.n.d.
Sambucus nigraFrn.d.n.d.270.29 ± 15.7010.92 ± 0.648.11 ± 0.10n.d.
Lv238.25 ± 17.455.49 ± 0.01131.82 ± 8.4510.98 ± 0.24n.d.n.d.
Fl87.76 ± 4.58n.d.769.10 ± 21.84147.91 ± 12.35n.d.n.d.
Rubus caesiusFrn.d.26.07 ± 2.633.04 ± 0.10n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv246.99 ± 10.2016.07 ± 0.452.79 ± 0.0150.57 ± 1.35n.d.n.d.
Fl34.36 ± 4.2616.15 ± 1.84n.d.30.30 ± 1.2818.68 ± 1.49n.d.
Rubus fruticosusFrn.d.5.80 ± 0.54n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv50.06 ± 2.1514.48 ± 0.2164.29 ± 2.3112.47 ± 0.70n.d.n.d.
Fl221.27 ± 19.8788.79 ± 1.2632.37 ± 1.6451.32 ± 2.84n.d.n.d.
Fragaria viridisFr1.27 ± 0.25n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv311.76 ± 21.35778.11 ± 15.15242.36 ± 14.2066.98 ± 2.15n.d.n.d.
Fl25.85 ± 2.54120.03 ± 10.64n.d.7.50 ± 0.03n.d.n.d.
Cornus masFr268.16 ± 16.97n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv105.57 ± 9.1013.98 ± 0.24191.81 ± 21.1027.28 ± 1.15n.d.n.d.
Prunus spinosaFrn.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv205.93 ± 11.48n.d.114.52 ± 7.15127.62 ± 9.46n.d.n.d.
Fl494.74 ± 42.15n.d.14.50 ± 0.676.15 ± 0.1032.56 ± 1.655.64 ± 0.08
Bdn.d.18.26 ± 14.23n.d.56.70 ± 1.2399.19 ± 4.37n.d.
* Values represent the average of 3 determinations. ** Fr—fruits, Lv—leaves, Fl—flowers, Bd—buds, C-(+)—catechin hydrate, EC-(−)—epicatechin, RUT—rutin, MYR—myricetin, QCT—quercetin, KP–kaempferol, mean ± standard deviation, n.d.—not detected.
Table
Table 2. Phenolic acid content of studied wild fruit species in different plant parts.
Table 2. Phenolic acid content of studied wild fruit species in different plant parts.
Species/PartPhenolic Acids mg/100 g DW *
GA **NCHACHAVACFASYApCAFASASAAEA
Malus sylvestrisFr91.59 ± 1.20n.d.249.78 ± 32.51n.d.n.d.n.d.0.63 ± 0.01n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lvn.d.n.d.10.58 ± 0.504.88 ± 0.01n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.2537.69 ± 40.2
Pyrus pyrasterFr23.91 ± 1.14n.d.50.70 ± 4.15n.d.n.d.n.d.0.22 ± 0.01n.d.n.d.n.d.4.78 ± 0.23
Lv87.55 ± 7.203.07 ± 0.01656.78 ± 25.4013.69 ± 0.614.35 ± 0.01n.d.5.33 ± 0.01n.d.135.48 ± 4.25.52 ± 0.073.79 ± 0.01
Rosa caninaFr66.62 ± 5.24n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.9.14 ± 0.10
Lvn.d.88.65 ± 4.52198.00 ± 10.6739.23 ± 1.480.32 ± 0.01n.d.21.14 ±0.05 96.22 ± 5.2279.92 ± 7.66.62 ± 0.04293.39 ± 24.50
Fl23.77 ± 1.14261.61 ± 20.484.25 ± 6.4517.73 ± 1.5729.40 ± 1.64n.d.66.01 ± 4.34103.07 ± 0.4725.47 ± 2.84639.97 ± 10.25278.17 ± 11.23
Crataegus pentagynaFr0.43 ± 0.0195.57 ± 9.1241.66 ± 2.65n.d.35.5 ± 2.48n.d.0.40 ± 0.010.65 ± 0.01n.d.9.79 ± 0.4533.56 ± 2.30
Lvn.d.9.14 ± 1.23214.73 ± 11.1116.38 ± 1.1251.60 ± 4.26n.d.3.74 ± 0.0128.87 ± 1.14n.d.864.30 ± 26.1285.93 ± 4.62
Fl1.86 ± 0.01633.19 ± 35.1246.92 ± 15.23n.d.50.86 ± 2.27n.d.0.33 ± 0.01n.d.n.d.90.79 ± 5.27n.d.
Crataegus monogynaFr7.92 ± 0.5610.54 ± 1.2141.75 ± 3.780.21 ± 0.01n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.22.70 ± 1.26107.76 ± 9.45
Lvn.d.37.55 ± 2.30508.32 ± 24.7411.86 ± 0.7024.80 ± 1.31n.d.28.18 ± 1.4555.07 ± 6.21n.d.250.90 ± 14.528.58 ± 0.16
Fl4.15 ± 0.23203.90 ± 15.2226.33 ± 18.31n.d.30.06 ± 1.94n.d.n.d.0.09 ± 0.01n.d.0.36 ± 0.01n.d.
Sambucus nigraFr122.14 ± 14.8n.d.4.38 ± 0.351.80 ± 0.015.07 ± 0.25n.d.n.d.7.45 ± 0.60n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lvn.d.n.d.151.50 ± 10.504.84 ± 0.1011.67 ± 0.97n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Fl6.95 ± 0.5699.64 ± 5.28807.42 ± 20.87n.d.11.44 ± 0.84n.d.n.d.3.56 ± 0.21n.d.303.13 ± 8.6426.90 ± 1.17
Rubus caesiusFr25.15 ± 2.73n.d.n.d.n.d.1.24 ± 0.02n.d.9.55 ± 0.218.17 ± 0.51n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv42.35 ± 3.2520.74 ± 1.27n.d.n.d.6.20 ± 0.52n.d.n.d.7.24 ± 1.01n.d.n.d.91.21 ± 4.02
Fln.d.12.18 ± 1.26n.d.1.33 ± 0.027.11 ± 0.64n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Rubus fruticosusFr58.28 ± 6.1216.48 ± 2.15n.d.17.32 ± 0.23n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lv21.06 ± 1.6178.63 ± 6.4521.06 ± 1.6178.63 ± 6.4521.06 ± 1.6178.63 ± 6.429.04 ± 1.105.89 ± 0.01n.d.n.d.43.68 ± 1.00
Fl2.68 ± 0.02141.02 ± 13.8n.d.n.d.25.77 ± 0.36n.d.17.76 ± 0.5619.54 ± 1.43n.d.n.d.9.61 ± 0.56
Fragaria viridisFr122.02 ± 18.4n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.351.96 ± 20.05
Lv57.65 ± 4.239.30 ± 1.3123.46 ± 1.1515.18 ± 0.64n.d.131.01 ± 9.467.99 ± 4.286.46 ± 4.6121.69 ± 9.1140.19 ± 10.2549.58 ± 41.2
Fl5.16 ± 0.685.08 ± 0.25n.d.n.d.n.d.29.05 ± 1.2n.d.229.79 ± 2.42n.d.10.60 ± 1.258.61 ± 0.98
Cornus masFr76.47 ± 11.1016.93 ± 2.63n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.175.15 ± 15.30
Lv145.84 ± 10.440.45 ± 2.4331.54 ± 1.4695.22 ± 2.4877.16 ± 1.64n.d.6.23 ± 0.01n.d.n.d.n.d.47.38 ± 12.21
Prunus spinosaFr109.06 ± 20.234.20 ± 4.52n.d.n.d.12.20 ± 0.94n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.
Lvn.d.62.98 ± 5.87310.98 ± 18.2430.99 ± 0.505.35 ± 0.09n.d.8.86 ± 0.0912.15 ± 1.12n.d.n.d.16.25 ± 1.24
Fl3.99 ± 0.74151.68 ± 10.8583.39 ± 14.69n.d.n.d.n.d.n.d.26.48 ± 3.140.09 ± 0.016.16 ± 0.84n.d.
Bd4.11 ± 0.21n.d.19.10 ± 2.13n.d.n.d.n.d.0.75 ± 0.0116.24 ± 2.49n.d.10.85 ± 0.67n.d.
* Values represent the average of 3 determinations. ** Fr—fruits, Lv—leaves, Fl—flowers, Bd—buds, GA–gallic acid, NCHA—neochlorogenic acid, CHA—chlorogenic acid, VA—vanillic acid, CFA—caffeic acid, SYA—syringic acid, pCA—p-coumaric acid, FA—ferulic acid, SA—sinapic acid, SAA—salicylic acid, EA—ellagic acid, mean ± standard deviation, n.d.—not detected.
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Stoenescu, A.-M.; Trandafir, I.; Cosmulescu, S. Determination of Phenolic Compounds Using HPLC-UV Method in Wild Fruit Species. Horticulturae 2022, 8, 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020084

AMA Style

Stoenescu A-M, Trandafir I, Cosmulescu S. Determination of Phenolic Compounds Using HPLC-UV Method in Wild Fruit Species. Horticulturae. 2022; 8(2):84. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020084

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stoenescu, Ana-Maria, Ion Trandafir, and Sina Cosmulescu. 2022. "Determination of Phenolic Compounds Using HPLC-UV Method in Wild Fruit Species" Horticulturae 8, no. 2: 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020084

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop