Abstract
Key MessageThe best yields in the extraction of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols and total phenolics from black cherry flowers were obtained with 40% ethanol and the poorest with water. A 30% higher content of total phenolics was obtained from leaves by using methanol rather than water.ContextBlack cherry (Prunus serotina Erhr.) is widespread in Europe. Because it is an invasive species, most research has been aimed at trying to find a method to remove this shrub from forests. The incentive for the development of the research was that we were trying to find a possible folk use of black cherry leaves and flowers.AimsThe aim of this work was to study the detailed phenolic profile of extracts of P. serotina leaves and flowers.MethodsThree types of extracts of P. serotina were made. The extracts were analysed for differences in phenolics content based on different extraction methods. HPLC-MSn was used to identify the phenolic compounds, and HPLC–DAD was used for their quantification.ResultsThe results show that different extraction methods result in differences in the amount of extractables. Flavanols are the main group of identified compounds in both leaves and flowers. A larger extraction efficiency leads to a higher amount of phenolics in the flowers compared to leaves (49.8 vs. 36.5 g/kg dry weight). No difference was detected in the amount of phenolics between water extracts of leaves and flowers. Each extract can be considered rich in phenolics.ConclusionThis work shows that leaves and flowers of P. serotina are a rich source of phenolic compounds. We provide interesting results that might be of interest in the industrial valuation of several compounds.
Highlights
Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) originates from North America and is called American black cherry
In this study we identified a larger number of phenolic compounds than in previous works
Infusions of hand-picked black cherry leaves and flowers are a good source of phenolics, especially flavonols, which have a higher content than black tea
Summary
Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) originates from North America and is called American black cherry. It is a native tree from Mexico-Guatemala to south-east Canada, where it can grow up to 30 m, and is one of the most valued woods for furniture (Petitpierre et al 2009). In Poland, it mostly grows as a shrub or in the form of small trees. P. serotina blooms intensively in late spring (end of May). Every part of the plant has this smell, so this characteristic is used for distinguishing this species from other similar species (Nestby 2020)
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