Comparative Analysis of Total Phenolic Content in Prunus Padus L. Leaves Samples Collected from Different Places

Abstract

Introduction. Bird cherry (Prunus padus L.) – belongs to the Rosaceae Juss family [1]. It is a multiannual tree or shrub with oval, elliptic, taper-pointed, finetoothed, 5–10 cm long leaves [2]. The leaves of Prunus padus L. contain biologically active phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-aggregatory effects. Due to their biological activity, phenolic compounds can be used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and cosmetics [3, 4]. The aim of this research was to perform comparative analysis of the total phenolic content of the leaves of P. padus collected in different places in Lithuania. Materials and methods. The P. padus leaves samples were collected on the same summer day (July 20) from ten different locations in Lithuania: Kaišiadorys, Širvintos, Birštonas, Vilkija, Raseiniai, Ukmergė, Kelmė, Panevėžys, Prienai and Radviliškis. The dry leaves were ground with an electric grinder. The extracts were prepared using 0.25 g (exact weight) leaves powder and 10 mL of 70% (v/v) ethanol. The extracts were sonicated in an ultrasonic bath for 20 minutes, 80 W of ultrasonic power. After filtration the total phenolic content of bird cherry leaves was determined spectrophotometrically using the Folin–Ciocâlteu reagent and expressed as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) [5]. All data were recalculated for absolute dry weight (DW). Results and their discussion. The total phenolic content in P. padus leaves samples varied from 50.31 GAE/g DW to 104.71 GAE/g DW. The highest total phenolic content (104.71±5.94 GAE/g DW) was determined in bird cherry leaves samples collected in Birštonas. The lowest total phenolic content (50.31±6.89 GAE/g DW) was ascertained in P. padus leaves samples collected in Raseiniai. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the total phenolic content of Prunus padus leaves was 18%. Conclusions. The results revealed that growing location has some influence on the accumulation of phenolic compounds of P. padus leaves. The highest total phenolic content was determined in the bird cherry leaves samples collected in Birštonas.