Phenological Variations in the Surface Flavonoids of Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia absinthium L.

Authors: MILENA NIKOLOVA, DRAGAN VELICKOVIC

Abstract: Qualitative and quantitative variations in the surface flavonoids in relation to phenological development of Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia absinthium L. were examined. Plant material was harvested at different phenological stages (vegetative, before budding, floral budding, flowering, and fruiting) of the life cycle of the species. In A. vulgaris and A. absinthium acetone exudates, 6 and 4 flavonoid aglycones were identified, respectively, by TLC analysis. Quercetin 3,7,3'-trimethyl ether is the main flavonoid in the exudates of A. vulgaris while quercetagetin 3,6,7,3',4'-pentamethyl ether is the predominant flavonoid in A. absinthium. Qualitative variations in the flavonoid composition of A. vulgaris were established. Quantification of the flavonoid aglycones shows that their content was highest in the flowering stage. During the phenological development all of the detected flavonoids in A. absinthium were synthesised but differences in their relative amounts were observed. The main flavonoid aglycones were most abundant at the budding stage.

Keywords: Artemisia vulgaris L., Artemisia abisinthium L., surface flavonoid, phenological variation

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