UTLC of flavonols inSambucus nigraflowers

Abstract

UTLC is a new, miniaturized form of thin-layer chromatography. In comparison with classical TLC or HPTLC it enables analysis of substantially smaller amounts of compounds. Monolithic silica gel layers have been used for separation of amino acids, alkaloids, steroids, and phenols [1–4]. There are no literature reports of the application of UTLC for analysis of compounds present in matrices originating from plants. Miniaturization of the chromatographic process enables the analysis of much smaller samples of plant material; this is especially important for screening of a large group of plants. The flowers of black elder – Sambucus nigra L. (Caprifoliaceae) have been used in folk medicine for centuries as a diuretic and diaphoretic remedy [5, 6]. Nowadays, this medicinal plant is a constituent of many phytopharmaceuticals used for treatment of influenza, colds, and sinusitis. Flavonols, including rutin, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside are believed to be responsible for the therapeutic effects of elderberry flowers [6]. This work was an attempt to apply UTLC to analysis of the flavonoids occurring in plant matrices. The objective of the research was to optimize the conditions for UTLC separation of flavonols present in the flowers of Sambucus nigra.