Total phenolic compounds of Geranium palustre (L.) in above-ground parts during vegetation period

Abstract

Background. Geranium (cranesbills) is the largest genus of the Geraniaceae family and contains about 400 species. One of the most common Geraniums is Geranium palsutre (L.). According to literature data, Geranium palustre contain flavonoids: catechin, quercetine, kaempferol, luteolin; flavonoid glycosides: rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin; gallic acid, bergenin, cinnamic acid and its derivatives; 7 free organic acids (malic, citric, oxalic, succinic, tartaric, pyruvic and ascorbic) and 15 amino acids and other compounds, due to which plant possesses a wide range of propertites, important for treatment: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and antimicrobal. Aim. The aim of the current study was to investigate the quantitative composition of Marsh Cranes’bill (Geranium palustre L.) from naturally growing in Lithuania different cenopopulations raw materials phenolic compounds of their extracts. Methods. The samples of the research was above-ground raw materials of Marsh Crane’s-bill plants collected from 21 different cenopopulations naturally growing in Lithuania during the plant’s vegetation period of June–August. Extracts were prepared using 0.1 g of dry mater and 10 mL of 70% ethanol. Folin Ciocalteu method was used to determine the total content of phenolic compounds, the results were expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GRE) (mg/g). Results. In different vegetation periods the total phenolic content in above-ground was in a range of 88.48 GAE mg/g to 149.06 GAE mg/g. Evaluating individual above-ground parts the highest levels of phenolic compounds (71.72±7.76 GAE mg/g) were found in the leaves which were collected at the beginning of vegetation. The lowest levels of phenolic compounds (18.67±3.39 GAE mg/g) were found in the stems which were collected at the beginning of vegetation. Conclusion. The study revealed that Marsh Crane’s-bill raw materials accumulate significant amounts of phenolic compounds of variation depend directly on the morphological part of the plant and the cenopopulation.