engleski

Phisico-chemical parameters and phenolic compounds of elder flower (Sambucus nigra L.) and elder flower extracts

Elder is one of the widespread wild plants in Croatia. Although it was underused, in the past few years there is an increasing need for elder use in medicine and food industry where it is processed into herbal teas, juices, syrups, jams and liquors. The aim of this work was to determine physico-chemical and phenolic composition of elder flower and extracts from elder flower harvested on two locations in Croatia (Zagreb and Lika). Elder flowers were harvested on two locations, Zagreb and Lika, in Croatia. Four water extracts were prepared from each sample, differing in duration of extraction (24 and 48 hours) and addition of ascorbic acid (with or without ascorbic acid). Physico-chemical analysis (dry matter, soluble solid, pH and total acidity) was conducted on both elder flower and extracts. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were determined using HPLC coupled with UV-VIS PDA detection. There was no difference in physico-chemical composition of elder flowers considering the harvest location, while elder flower from Lika had higher concentration of phenolic compounds. The most abundant phenolic acids in elder flower were chlorogenic and caffeic acid depending of the harvest location. In elder flower and extracts from both locations three flavonol glycosides were identified (quercetin 3-glucoside, quercetin 3-rutinoside and isoquercitrin). The concentration of phenolics was higher in extracts that were extracted 24h than in those extracted 48h. Furthermore, extracts that contained ascorbic acid had higher concentration of both phenolic acids and flavonoids. Elder flower is a rich source of phenolic compounds, mainly phenolic acids with clorogenic and caffeic acid being the most abundant. Both harvest location and extraction procedure influenced the concentration of phenolics. The highest concentration was determined in extracts of elder flower harvested in Lika and extracted with addition of ascorbic acid during 24 hours.

elder flower; Sambucus nigra; phenols; HPLC UV-Vis PDA

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