Planta Med 2011; 77 - PL4
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282653

Inter-population variation in phenolic content of Teucrium chamaedrys L. from the localities in the Balkan Peninsula

MS Stankovic 1, K Vassilev 2, MN Stankovic 3, T Milosevic 4, M Topuzovic 1, A Markovic 1, S Solujic 5
  • 1Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovica 12, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
  • 2Institute of Botany, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St., bl.23, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
  • 3Special Nature Reserve – Zasavica, Svetog Save 19, 22000 Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia
  • 4Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 157 71, Athens, Greece
  • 5Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovica 12, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia

Total phenolic content and flavonoid concentrations in methanolic extracts obtained from Teucrium chamaedrys L. in five natural populations of the Balkan Peninsula and a garden population were investigated and compared. The above-ground parts of plants were collected during the flowering phase and the methanolic extracts were prepared. The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and expressed as gallic acid equivalent. The obtained values varied between 142.04mg GA/g and 265.91mg GA/g. The concentration of flavonoids was determined using AlCl3 and expressed as rutin equivalent. The obtained values ranged between 55.66mg Ru/g and 90.48mg Ru/g. The highest phenolic content was found in the plants collected from the mountain areas (Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and somewhat lower content was found in plants from Mediterranean localities (Montenegro, Croatia). The lowest level was found in the extract obtained from the cultivated plant (Greece). The highest concentration of flavonoids was found in the plants from Mediterranean localities (Croatia, Montenegro), while the levels were lower in the other samples and ranged between 50 and 70mg Ru/ml. On the basis of comparative analysis, the plants collected at higher altitude localities were found to be richer in total phenolics, while higher concentration of flavonoids was found in T. chamaedrys from Mediterranean localities. A cultivar of T. chamaedrys had lower concentration of phenolics in comparison with natural populations. The results obtained in the analysis point out that the concentration of phenolics depend on the ecological properties of the plant habitats.

Acknowledgement: Ministry of Science and Education, Republic of Serbia (III41010)