Quantitative Composition Of Phenolic Compounds Research Articles

Variability in the Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds and the In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) Leaves.

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae Juss. family. Cherry leaves are an underutilized source of biologically active compounds. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of the phenolic compounds, as well as the total antioxidant activity, in leaf samples of P. cerasus cultivars and to elucidate the cultivars with particular phytochemical compositions. The phytochemical profiles of P. cerasus leaves vary significantly in a cultivar-dependent manner. The total content of identified phenolic compounds varied from 8.254 to 16.199 mg/g in the cherry leaves. Chlorogenic acid ranged between 1413.3 µg/g ('North Star') and 8028.0 µg/g ('Note'). The total content of flavonols varied from 4172.5 µg/g ('Vytenu zvaigzde') to 9030.7 µg/g ('Tikhonovskaya'). The total content of identified proanthocyanidins varied from 122.3 µg/g ('Note') to 684.8 µg/g ('Kelleris'). The highest levels of phloridzin (38.1 ± 0.9 µg/g) were found in samples of 'Molodezhnaya', while the lowest level of this compound was determined in the leaf samples of 'Turgenevka' (6.7 ± 0.2). The strongest antiradical (138.0 ± 4.0 µmol TE/g, p < 0.05) and reducing (364.9 ± 10.5 µmol TE/g, p < 0.05) activity in vitro was exhibited by the cultivar 'Vytenu zvaigzde' cherry leaf sample extracts. 'Kelleris', 'Note', and 'Tikhonovskaya' distinguish themselves with peculiar phytochemical compositions.

Comparative analysis of anthocyanin content in various tomato samples in connection with breeding

Relevance. Anthocyanin pigments can be synthesised in the stem, leaves, calyx, peel and pulp of tomato fruit. These compounds protect the photosynthetic apparatus of the plant, neutralise free radicals, increase the efficiency of phosphorus and nitrogen assimilation, have an osmoregulatory function, antimicrobial activity and increase the level of adaptation to unfavourable environmental conditions. In addition, anthocyanins from plant foods play an important role in the prevention of type II diabetes, neurodegenerative processes, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Therefore, the cultivation of tomatoes with anthocyanin-coloured fruits is a perspective area for the vegetable industry in Russia. Vegetable products containing antioxidant substances belong to the functional products and conform to the concept of a healthy diet. As one of the most popular and frequently consumed vegetable crops, the anthocyanin content of tomato is advisable to increase in the fruit (peel and pulp).Material and methods. In this work we studied breeding samples of FSBSI FSVC: L-Ch-365, L-IR-2080, L-Zemba, hybrid combination F1 Zemba x L-Ch-365, variety of Siberian Botanical Garden Bosare blue. The aim of our research was to determine the quantitative composition of phenolic compounds - anthocyanins in different tomato samples, and on this basis to determine the objectives of breeding to improve the content of phenolic compounds.Results. As a result of the research, the quantitative content of anthocyanins in fruits of dif- ferent tomato specimens has been studied, on which the dietary and medicinal quality of the fruits depends. The sources of high content of anthocyanins (L-Zemba, L-IR-2080) have been obtained, which will make possible to conduct directed breeding work for high content of phenolic compounds. It has been shown that anthocyanin-rich tomato samples can be rich in carotenoids, which gives an opportunity to create new varieties and hybrids with high content of water- and fat-soluble antioxidants. Potential samples for breeding according to the complex of biochemical indicators have been identified: L-Zemba, L-IR-2080, Bosare blue. It has been shown that selection for high content of anthocyanins can be performed at various stages of fruit ripening (large ripe fruit, blangetongue, biological ripeness), selecting the most intense colouring. The Zemba tomato variety developed at FSBSI FSVC has a sufficiently high anthocyanin content and is recommended for cultivation in production.

Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in Apples of the 'Galaval' Cultivar Grown on 17 Different Rootstocks.

Apple cultivars are one of the main factors setting the composition of bioactive compounds in apples and the quality of the fruit. However, research has been providing increasing amounts of data on the influence of rootstocks on the variations in the composition of bioactive compounds in apples. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of rootstocks on the changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity in vitro in apple flesh and peel. HPLC analyses of phenolic compounds in apple samples were performed. The rootstock–scion combination had a significant effect on the composition and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds in apple samples. Depending on the rootstock, the total content of phenolic compounds in apple flesh of the ‘Galaval’ cultivar could vary by 2.9 times, and in the peel by up to 90%. The genotype of the rootstock resulted in the highest variation in total flavan-3-ol content in apple flesh—by as much as 4.3 times—while the total content of flavonols varied by 2.1 times. In apple peel, on the contrary, the greatest variation was recorded for the total flavonol content (by 4.4 times), and the total flavan-3-ol content varied the least (by 1.8 times). A proper match of a cultivar and a rootstock can program a fruit tree to grow larger amounts of higher-quality, antioxidant-rich, and high-nutrition-value fruit.

Impact of Storage Controlled Atmosphere on the Apple Phenolic Acids, Flavonoids, and Anthocyanins and Antioxidant Activity In Vitro.

Apples are seasonal fruits, and it is important to prepare them adequately for storage and ensure proper storage conditions. In this study, we used ten different apple cultivars: ‘Alva’, ‘Auksis’, ‘Connell Red’, ‘Cortland’, ‘Ligol’, ‘Lodel’, ‘Noris’, ‘Rubin’, ‘Sampion’, and ‘Spartan’. We studied the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in the apple and apple extracts antioxidants activity before placing them in the controlled atmosphere chambers and again at the end of the experiment, eight months later. Different concentrations of O2, CO2, and N2, constant temperature, relative humidity, and removal of endogenous ethylene were continually maintained. HPLC analysis showed that the highest amount of 2265.7 ± 152.5 µg/g of chlorogenic acid was found in apple samples of the ‘Auksis’ cultivar stored under variant IV conditions. Different concentrations of gas in the controlled atmosphere chambers caused changes in antioxidant activity in whole apple and apple peel extracts. In our study, we found that the antioxidant activity of apple extracts varied between samples of different apple cultivars and depended on the composition of the controlled atmosphere. Determining the optimal storage conditions is beneficial to providing the consumers with apples that have a known and minimally altered chemical composition of phenolic compounds and the strongest antioxidant activity, which determine the use of apples in the healthy food chain.

Development, Validation, and Application of the UPLC-DAD Methodology for the Evaluation of the Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds in the Fruit of American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton).

Phenolic compounds in the fruit of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and other biological effects. The berries are used in the production of medicinal preparations and food supplements, which highlights the importance of qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in cranberry fruit raw material. The aim of our study was to develop and validate an efficient, cost-effective, reproducible, and fast UPLC-DAD methodology for the evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in raw material and preparations of American cranberry fruit. During the development of the methodology, chlorogenic acid and the following flavonols were identified in cranberry fruit samples: myricetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-α-L-arabinopyranoside, quercetin-3-α-L-arabinofuranoside, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, myricetin, and quercetin. The developed and optimized UPLC-DAD methodology was validated according to the guidelines of the International Council for Harmonization (ICH), evaluating the following parameters: range, specificity, linearity (R2 > 0.999), precision (%RSD < 2%), LOD (0.38–1.01 µg/mL), LOQ (0.54–3.06 µg/mL), and recovery (80–110%). The developed methodology was applied to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in fruit samples of cranberry cultivars ‘Baifay’, ‘Bergman’, ‘Prolific’, and ‘Searles’, as well as ‘Bain-MC’ and ‘BL-12′ clones. In the tested samples, the majority (about 70%) of the identified flavonols were quercetin derivatives. The greatest amount of quercetin-3-galactoside (1035.35 ± 4.26 µg/g DW) was found in fruit samples of the ‘Searles’ cultivar, and the greatest amount of myricetin-3-galactoside (940.06 ± 24.91 µg/g DW) was detected in fruit samples of the ‘Woolman’ cultivar.

Изменение спектра фенольных соединений циннии при избытке ионов меди в субстрате

Changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in response to adverse environmental influences are actively studied, primarily in connection with the antioxidant function of these compounds. However, phenolic compounds such as phenylpropanoids are known to be involved in cell wall lignification. Lignin deposition is not only a natural process for the formation of secondary cell walls, but it is also often considered as a non-specific reaction of plants under stress conditions. However, changes in the content and composition of phenolic compounds during lignification in response to stressors have not been studied enough. Previously, we showed a decrease in the amount of phenolic compounds in response to the action of copper ions, but the question remained whether they are spent on the lignification process or on the quenching of reactive oxygen species. In this regard, the purpose of this work was to identify changes in the amount and composition of phenolic compounds of different polarity in the axial organs of zinnia when grown in a medium with an excess of copper ions. It was shown that under stress caused by copper ions (watering the substrate with a solution of 200 μM copper sulfate), in the roots of 40-day-old zinnia plants, the total content of phenolic compounds did not change significantly. At the same time, the content of fractions soluble in diethyl ether (hydroxycinnamic acids) and ethyl acetate (aglycones of flavonoids and coumarins) decreased, which may indicate the use of phenylpropanoids for additional synthesis of lignin, and flavonoids for antioxidant reactions under stress. In the hypocotyl, the content of hydroxycinnamic acids slightly increased, while in the first internode it did not change. The main part of phenolic compounds in all organs, both in control stressed plants, belonged to the fraction of glycosylated derivatives. At the same time, among this derivates the content of water-soluble phenols increased in the experimental plants in all organs. Thus, under the stress caused by copper ions, the composition and number of phenolic compounds changed.

Changes in phenolic complex of table grapes of ‘Italia’ cultivar during long-term storage

This work presents characteristics of qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds and their changes during long-term storage of ‘Italia’ table grapevine cultivar. The studies were carried out using method of HPLC on a Shimadzu LC 20 Prominence chromatograph with diode-array detector of ultraviolet and visible range. Grapes were sampled fresh and after long-term storage (60 days). Three groups of phenolic compounds were identified: hydroxycinnamic acids, procyanidins, and flavonols. It is established that major components of phenolic complex of ‘Italia’ grapes are procyanidins, specifically d-catechin and epicatechin, amounting 33% and 34%, respectively, and also procyanidin B2 with high proportion of 19%. At the end of long-term storage, a decrease in the mass concentration of phenolic compounds was revealed, the content of hydroxycinnamic acids decreased by 62,3%, procyanidins by 50,1%, and flavonols by 51,0%. A decrease in the activity of polyphenoloxidase enzyme to 60th day of storage by 8,53%, relative to the control, was established. In the process of analysis of variance, statistically significant differences in the components of phenolic profile in grapes of ‘Italia’ cultivar between the beginning and end of storage were established using Student's t-test, which varied from 4,43*10-15 to 6,07*10-7, being so significantly less than 0,05.

Phytochemical, antioxidant and anticholinesterase profiles of Musanga cecropioïdes R. Br. (Urticaceae) from Côte d'Ivoire

This study is devoted to Musanga cecropioides (Urticaceae), a tropical plant whose leaves and root bark are used in traditional medicine in the treatment of various pathologies. The objective of this work was to study qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in extracts of the leaves (McF) and root bark (McR) Musanga cecropioides and to evaluate their antioxidant and anticholinesterase properties. Phytochemical screening using TLC showed that the extracts contain, along with phenolic compounds such as coumarins, flavonoids and tannins, other bioactive phytocompounds namely sterols, terpenes and alkaloids. Quantitative analysis of phenolic phytoconstituents by spectrophotometry showed that contents of total flavonoids and polyphenols in leaves (7.753% and 119.389 mg EAG / g, respectively) are higher than those in the root bark (1.41% and 105.944 mg EAG / g, respectively). The antioxidant activity of total and selective extracts evaluated by FRAP and DPPH methods was found to be significant compared to vitamin C. All the extracts of Musanga cecropioides showed good anticholinesterase activity with percentages of inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) ranging from 51.952 to 63.589%.

Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Compounds in Fruit of the Genus Rosa L.

We investigated the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in the fruit of Rosa L. cultivars grown in Lithuania. The highest total content of phenolic compounds (50.13 ± 4.17 mg GAE/g, p < 0.05) was determined in fruit samples of Rosa pimpinellifolia L. cultivar “Single Cherry”. The highest levels of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were determined in fruit samples of Rosa rugosa Thunb. cultivars “Dart’s Defender” and “Adam Chodun”. The highest flavonoid content was determined in fruit samples of Rosa multiflora Thunb. cultivar “Nana” and R. multiflora species. The strongest antioxidant activity evaluated by applying DPPH and FRAP assays was determined in fruit extracts of R. pimpinellifolia cultivar “Single Cherry” and R. rugosa cultivar “Adam Chodun”. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in Rosa L. fruit was performed by applying UHPLC. The following phenolic compounds were identified in fruit samples: caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, quercitrin, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, (−)-epicatechin gallate, rutin, phloridzin, and kaempferol-3-O-glycoside. A strong correlation was determined between the total amount of phenolic compounds determined in extracts of the fruit samples of Rosa L. cultivars and the radical scavenging and reducing activity of their extracts in vitro (R = 0.767 and 0.727, respectively, p < 0.05).

The Qualitative and Quantitative Compositions of Phenolic Compounds in Fruits of Lithuanian Heirloom Apple Cultivars.

As the interest in heirloom cultivars of apple trees, their fruit, and processed products is growing worldwide, studies of the qualitative and quantitative composition of biological compounds are important for the evaluation of the quality and nutritional properties of the apples. Studies on the variations in the chemical composition of phenolic compounds characterized by a versatile biological effect are important when researching the genetic heritage of the heirloom cultivars in order to increase the cultivation of such cultivars in orchards. A variation in the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds was found in apple samples of cultivars included in the Lithuanian collection of genetic resources. By the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method flavan-3-ols (procyanidin B1, procyanidin B2, procyanidin C2, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin), flavonols (rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, reynoutrin and avicularin), chlorogenic acids and phloridzin were identified and quantified in fruit samples of heirloom apple cultivars grown in Lithuania. The highest sum of the identified phenolic compounds (3.82 ± 0.53 mg/g) was found in apple fruit samples of the ‘Koštelė’ cultivar

Composition of the Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis L.)

TLC analysis of Knautia arvensis demonstrated phenolcarboxylic acids and flavonoids. Spectrophotometric studies were run to assess the quantitative composition of phenolic compounds expressed as chlorogenic acid (from 1.05% to 2.08%), and it was proposed that this substance can be used for standardization of samples of Knautia arvensis herb. HPLC-UV identified the presence of o-coumaric, gallic, neochlorogenic, chlorogenic, caffeic, isoferulic, and rosmarinic acids, as well as hyperoside and kaempferol. Chlorogenic acid was present in the greatest quantity (0.29 – 0.60%). GLC-MS showed that hexane extracts contained 92 substances, including a-linoleic acid, ethyl esters of palmitic, palmitoleic, 13-methyltetradecanoic, and phenylacetic acids, phytol, diethylacetal isovaleraldehyde, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, diethoxyethane, 14-methyl-8-hexadecenal, succinic acid diethyl ester, dihydrocitronellol, phenylacetaldehyde, and others.

The composition and content of phenolic compounds in tea, grown in humid subtropics of Russia

The article presents the results of studies on the dynamics, qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds of tea raw materials and tea of new forms of selection of the Institute. The regularity in their synthesis by months is determined, which affects the quality indicators of the end product and necessitates blending to the repaired tea. The accumulation of tannins in tea raw materials depends on hydrothermal conditions, in particular, the amount of precipitation. The content of tannin increases from May to June, then there is some decline in their content, due to hydrothermal stress, slowing the synthesis of tannins in the tea leaf. The content of the water-soluble fraction gradually increases from May to July, and then there is a slight decline. It is shown that the accumulation of phenolic compounds in tea raw materials varies during the collection season. The contents of theaflavins increased from the beginning of the collecting sheet to its completion. The content of thearubigins showed peaks: the lowest rate in June, the highest in August. It was revealed that a sharp drop in the synthesis of thearubigins in June is associated with the onset of the summer dormancy of growth and synthetic processes. The synthesis of both indicators depends on meteorological conditions. The comparative analysis of the samples of tea raw materials collected from experimental plants is carried out. It is shown that the content of tannin and extractive substances in the raw materials of the studied varieties and mutant forms is high. In terms of the ratio of theaflavins and thearubigins, tea made from experienced raw materials meets international requirements. Determination of the qualitative composition of the catechin group of green tea, produced from raw materials of new forms, showed a high level of accumulation of the main groups of catechins.

Seasonal Variation of the Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds in Malus domestica Leaves

Seasonal Variation of the Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds in Malus domestica Leaves

Seasonal Variation of Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) Fruits

Seasonal Variation of Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) Fruits

Comparison of in vitro anti-lipase and antioxidant activities, and composition of commercial chokeberry juices

Inhibition of digestive lipases refers to the suppression of dietary fat absorption and, to some extent, to a strategy against overweight and obesity. In this study, the effect of five commercial black chokeberry juices on pancreatic lipase as a key enzyme relevant to obesity was investigated using as substrates triolein, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil emulsions as well as 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate. The juices were also analyzed for antioxidant capacity (ABTS·+, DPPH·, FRAP methods), qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds and nutrients. Significant differences were observed among their chemical compositions and biological activities. Chokeberry juices were rich in proanthocyanidins, followed by the hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonols. Their inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase was related to polyphenol content, that of proanthocyanidins. The results reported herein have shown the influence of proanthocyanidin degree of polymerization on the inhibitory activity, especially in lipid emulsions. In conclusion, this work suggests that chokeberry juice may be a potential source of dietary fat absorption inhibitors, especially if it contains high molecular phenolic compounds.

PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS OF WATER-ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MENTHA LONGIFOLIA L

The article represents data about qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in water-ethanol extract of perspective clone of Mentha longifolia L. of NBE-NSC selection. Phenolic substances content in water-ethanol extract amounted to 3003.3 mg/100g. 13 components were determined in the extract. The extract contains caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid isomers, rosmarinic acid and glycosides of luteolin. Rosmarinic acid (50.2%) prevails among phenolic substances of Mentha longifolia extract. The conclusion is that the use of this extract is possible to create products with high biological value

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Macedonian red wines

The quantitative composition of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Vranec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were determined and compared. The phenolic profile was established using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and on line mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD–ESI-MS and MS/MS) technique. A total of 65 phenolic compounds were determined in the wines including 14 anthocyanins, 18 pyranoanthocyanins, 16 flavonols, 8 hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives, 4 stilbenes, gallic acid and 4 flavan-3-ols. Hydroxyphenyl-pyranoanthocyanin content is reported for the first time in Macedonian red wines, ranging between 1.09 and 10.4mg/L. 10-Carboxy-pyranomalvidin-3-glucoside and 10-p-hydroxyphenyl-pyranomalvidin-3-glucoside were the main compounds from vitisin-like and hydroxyphenyl-like pyranoanthocyanins, respectively. Vranec wines produced in 2008 presented highest concentration of anthocyanins (508mg/L), vitisins (53.1mg/L), hydroxyphenyl-pyranoanthocyanins (7.35mg/L), flavonols (120mg/L), hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (352mg/L), flavan-3-ols (98.9mg/L), stilbenes (43.9mg/L) and antioxidant activity (12.5mM/L TE). Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot had highest flavonols (152 and 119mg/L) and flavan-3-ols concentration (150 and 111mg/L) in 2006 and 2007, respectively, indicating the important role of variety, climate, storage conditions and winemaking techniques in wine phenolic composition. Factor analysis showed classification of wines according to the variety and content of the phenolic families and color characteristics.

Effects of Preflowering Leaf Removal on Phenolic Composition of Tempranillo in the Semiarid Terroir of Western Spain

The effects of preflowering defoliation on the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in the grape skins of Tempranillo grapevines grown in a semiarid terroir of western Spain, Badajoz, were determined. Control vines were compared with defoliation carried out before flowering (ED) in 2009 and 2010. Forty-two phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in the grape skins, including anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols (cathechin and epi-cathechin and the flavanol dimmers B1, B2, and B3), and hydroxycinnamic acids, as both simple and conjugated molecules. ED did not significantly alter the concentration of total anthocyanidins, although in 2009, 3-O-acylated monoglucosides and p-coumaroylglucoside forms were more abundant in this treatment. A nonsignificant tendency toward increased total flavanols due to defoliation treatment was observed. Leaf removal increased concentrations of flavonols (glycosides of myricetin, quercetin, kaempherol, and isorhamnetin), hydroxycinnamic acids, and stilbenes in season-specific ways. Preflowering leaf removal may contribute to increased concentrations of compounds that can form complexes with anthocyanins (copigments) and may thus improve wine color stability.

Phenolic Composition of Malus baccata Fruit

Natural populations of Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. occur in eastern Siberia and Primorsky Krai in addition to the Mongolian People’s Republic and northern China. The plant grows in river valleys, on islands, and on steppes and shrubsteppes. It is an exceptionally frost-resistant representative of the genus. The trees can withstand temperatures as low as –50°C. Polyphenolic compounds, primarily flavonoids contained in apples, are known to be involved in the regulation of human physiological functions. The qualitative and quantitative compositions of phenolic compounds (PC) in various species and varieties of apples and even a single variety growing under different ecological conditions vary regularly [1–4]. The spectrum of polyphenols is typically species-specific for apples and consists of 16 compounds, i.e., quercetin and its glycosides, phloridzin, phloretin, procyanidins, catechin, epicatechin, and several cyanidin glycosides and chlorogenic, cinnamic, and caffeic acids [4–7]. The literature contains much information on the PC contents in cultivated varieties grown in Europe, America, and China [2–7]. The biochemical composition of fruit from M. baccata, which is unique for its ability to fruit under extreme conditions, is practically unstudied. Therefore, the goal of the present work was to analyze the qualitative and quantitative compositions of PC in fruit from two forms of M. baccata. The dry weight (~30% of the raw mass) of M. baccata fruit was slightly greater than that of cultivated varieties (~24%). This seemed logical if the comparatively small (0.75 cm in diameter) size of M. baccata fruit was considered [8, 9]. The ratio of sugar content to acid number was reported for dessert varieties (25–30), for Antonovka (~10) [10], and for the studied fruit (~1.5). The vitamin C content in M. baccata fruit was comparable (6.5–7.5 mg%) to that in cultivated varieties grown in European Russia (from 5 to 50 mg%). We obtained samples of two ecological forms of M. baccata, tall and dwarf, grown under identical conditions in order to estimate intraspecies variations in the fruit chemical composition [9, 11]. The principal studied parameters were the dry fruit mass, sugar content, acidity, and vitamin C content and did not differ significantly for both forms (Table 1). The PC contents (calculated as quercetin) in both ecological forms differed considerably and were 1.01 0.5 mg/g of the fruit raw mass for tall and 1.56 0.12 mg/g for dwarf. The PC content for cultivated dessert varieties varied from 0.3 to 5.0 mg/g of raw mass [2, 3]. This was comparable with their contents in both forms of the studied fruit. Table 2 shows that the fruit PC included 10 principal compounds, i.e., procyanidin B1, anthocyans, phloretin, phloridzin, (+)-catechin, (–)-epicatechin, and quercetin glycosides and chlorogenic, cinnamic, and caffeic acids. The major constituents were procyanidin B1 (from 324.5 28.3 to 636.4 52.8 g/g of raw mass), quercetin glycosides (from 256.5 23.1 to 465.7 34.5 mg/g of raw mass), and phloridzin (331.3 25.3 g/g of raw mass). Cultivated varieties also had high contents of these flavonoids [2, 3, 5, 7]. A unique feature of the chemical composition of M. baccata fruit was the ratio of flavan-3-ols. The contents of (+)-catechin and (–)-epicatechin in fruit of both cultivated and wild representatives were high and comparable with the contents of their dimeric derivatives, i.e., procyanidins [2, 3, 5, 7, 12]. They totaled about 80–90% of the total polyphenol contents. This flavonoid class was represented in M. baccata fruit mainly by procyanidin B1 and reached only 30–40%. It is still unclear why procyanidin B2 was absent. First, it could be caused by the formation of larger unhydrolyzed oligomers, e.g., procyanidin B5 and tannins. Second, the biosynthesis could follow an anthocyan formation pathway from the same precursors as for the flavan-3-ols, i.e., leucoanthocyanidins [6]. This strategy could be more favorable for plant survival because anthocyan glycosides have greater cryoprotective potential. Many researchers relate their content to the frost-resistance of the trees [13–15].

Variation of quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) leaves during the growth season

The aim of our study was to explore variation peculiarities of qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in leaf samples of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) plants growing in natural habitats of Lithuania during their growth season using the HPLC method. In rowan leaf samples, collected during different phenological stages, qualitative and quantitative estimation of neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutin, astragalin, ( − )-epicatechin, procyanidin B1 and procyanidin B2 was performed. Analysis of the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in ethanol extracts of leaf samples of S. aucuparia growing in natural habitats of Lithuania revealed a close relationship between the content of phenolic compounds in S. aucuparia raw plant material and different growth stages.