A COMPARISON CONCERNING SEPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

OF POLYPHENOLS FROM SPRUCE WOOD BARK

Valentin I.Popa*, Ioana Ignat, Irina Volf
ABSTRACT

Gheorghe Asachi Technical University, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, 71 A
Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania
* E-mail: vipopa@ch.tuiasi.com;vipopa15dece@yahoo.com;www.vipopa.ro

The aim of this paper is to investigate the bark of Picea abies as a potential source of phenolic compounds. The extraction of polyphenols was performed
using different organic solvents followed by basic hydrolysis. After total content of polyphenols determination, high performance liquid chromatography
procedure was used to assess the phenolic compounds in spruce bark extracts .The obtained results allow us to compare the efficiency of extraction agents
from yield and individual compounds separation point of view.
INTRODUCTION

Table 2.Concentrations of individual phenolic compounds in spruce bark extracts (mg/100g dry plant)

Polyphenolic compounds are well known for their valuable properties which
allows using them in animal and vegetal systems [1]. Polyphenols are a
widespread group of secondary metabolites found in woody species, including
softwood. The concentration of secondary metabolites in different parts of
plants is not the same; in general, higher amounts of these bioactive
compounds occurring in bark, heartwood, roots, branch bases and wound
tissues [2].
We are especially interested in polyphenols extracted from spruce bark as
they constitute an abundant waste source in the wood industry, in addition to
the long history of spruce and pine bark extract as a folk medicine, which still
finds therapeutic use as a dietary supplement in Europe [3].

EXPERIMENTAL
Figure 2. HPLC profile of methanolic extract; Identified compounds: 1-gallic acid; 2-catechine;3-vanilic acid

Figure 3. HPLC profile of alkaline extract. Identified compounds: 1- syringic acid,2- ferulic acid

CONCLUSIONS
Spruce bark extracts contains considerable quantities of bioactive
aromatic compounds. This is of great importance for the industry, since the
extracts of these byproducts are finding increasing applications as active
substances for cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Table.1Total amount of phenols, tannins, flavonoids, flavonols and
antocyanins for concentrated extracts

Alcoholic extracts showed significantly higher amounts of phenolic

compounds compared to water extracts.
At the same time ethanol as extraction solvent provided a similar
efficiency as methanol in terms of individual compounds extracted and
also in terms of concentration. The differences between concentrations for
the two extracts were not substantive. However, ethanol is more preferable
solvent because of its nontoxic, environmentally safe and inexpensive
features.

The alkaline extraction showed a significant liberation of phenolic acids

that exist as insoluble bound complexes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This paper was realized with the support of BRAIN Doctoral scholarships as an
investment in intelligence project, financed by the European Social Found and
Romanian Government.

REFERENCES

Fig.1 Typical chromatogram at 280 nm obtained for polyphenol standards. Identified

compounds of peaks 18 are gallic acid, catechine, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, pcoumaric acid, ferulic acid and sinapic acid respectively

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