Planta Med 2008; 74 - PB26
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084371

Determination of coumarins and flavonoids in fruits of Apiaceae

E Kovač-Besović 1, A Čeljo 1, N Mulabegović 2, K Durić 1
  • 1Sarajevo University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Cekalusa 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • 2Sarajevo University, Faculty of Medicine, Cekalusa 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Many species of Apiaceae were used in folk medicine, as spices in cookery, but also as official medicinal drugs [1, 2]. In this work, fruits of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym.), celery (Apium graveolens L.), aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and dill (Anethum graveolens L.), were investigated on presence of coumarins and flavonoids. Thin layer chromatography was used as identification method. Coumarin determination was performed by TLC on silica gel GF254 with toluene:ether (1:1) as mobile phase and detection by fluorescence before and after spraying with ethanolic KOH (5%). Flavonoids were identified by TLC on cellulose-covered plates with n-buthanol: formic acid: glacial acetic acid: water (60:15:15:20) as mobile phase and detection by fluorescence before and after spraying with 1% W/V methanolic diphenylboryloxyethylamine. We detected scopoletine in samples of parsley and celery with corresponding Rf values 0.25, and umbelliferone in samples of aniseed and celery with Rf values 0.45, followed isobergapten in parsley with Rf 0.75 and isopimpinellin in celery and in dill with Rf 0.55. In samples of fennel, aniseed and dill we detected quercetin with Rf 0.70, and in samples of fennel and celery rutine with Rf 0.13. [3]

References: 1. Heinrich, M., Barnes, J. (2004) Fudamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. Elsevier science Ltd. U. K.

2. Kovač-Bešović, E.E. et al. (2003) Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences Vol. III: 19–26.

3. Wagner, H., Bladt, S. et al. (1983) Drogen-Analyse: Dünchnnschichtchromatographische Analyse von Arzneidrogen. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. New York.