Evaluation of Betulin and Betulinic Acid Content in Birch Bark from Different Forestry Areas of Western Carpathians

Liviu Holonec,Alina Truta,Carmen Socaciu,Floricuta Ranga,Diana Crainic

doi:10.15835/nbha4027967

Abstract

In order to evaluate the content of betulin and betulinic acids in Birch barks originating from Western Carpathians, TransylvaniaÂ (Romania) forests, in relation with the location of birch trees, it was recorded the geographic and vegetation conditions at the specificÂ locations of each type of sample. Two groups of birch tree bark (totally 10 samples) were collected, from two regions, pasture surfacesÂ where birch trees appeared spontaneously (samples 1 to 5) and another group from forests of combined trees, including mainly pineÂ trees (samples 6 to 10). The identification and quantitation of betulin and betulinic acid were made by High Performance LiquidÂ Chromatography with UV detection. In the first region it has been found mean concentrations of 126.85 Â± 12.56 mg/g betulin barkÂ while acid betulinic had average values of 12.78 Â± 1.26 mg/g bark. In the second region we found mean concentrations of 89.84 Â± 8.43Â mg/g betulin of bark while acid betulinic had average values of 10.60 Â± 0.97 mg/g bark. Statistically, significant differences were noticedÂ between the two regions, the first region being richer in these molecules. Generally, the percentage of betulinic acid was around 11.23%Â against betulin, higher in the second region, even the absolute concentrations were lower for both molecules. These data are usefulÂ indicators of the potential offered by birch bark sources found in Transylvania region, to obtain extracts enriched in betulin and betulinicÂ acid.

Highlights

Romania is a rich country considering the variety of birch forests
High Performance Liquid Chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) analysis for the identification of betulin and betulinic acid To identify accurately the betulin (B) and betulinic acid (BA), a mixture of pure standards was separated after a previous optimization of the separation protocol, established in the laboratory
The data obtained are useful indicators of the potential offered by these birch bark sources found in Transylvania region (Romania), to obtain extracts enriched in betulin and betulinic acid

Summary

Introduction

Romania is a rich country considering the variety of birch forests. It can be found four main species (Betula pendula Roth., Betula pubescens Ehrh., Betula humilis Schrank. and Betula nana L.) out of them, the „common birch” (Betula pendula Roth.) being the most known, mainly present in Western Carpathians, inside forests or spread in the pasture areas (Dehelean et al, 2007; KovacBesovic et al, 2009 a; Stănescu, 1979). Having a pronounced „pioneer” character, due to its „rusticity”, the common birch appears spontaneously, filling the empty surfaces after cuttings of other trees or after calamities (Șofletea and Curtu, 2000). It is characterized by high ecologic amplitude, developing without any special conditions. The birch wood has hard proprieties, generally used for carpentry or even in aquatic industry It is a good source of methanol, vinegar, coal and the bark, rich in tannins was mainly used to obtain heavy hydrocarbons and lubricant oils (Zhao et al, 2007). The oil extracted is used as skins moisture or to be used as lighting fuel (especially in the North of Europe) (Wan et al, 2012)

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Results

Conclusion