Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
09:50
Biosynthesis of a Flavonol from a Flavanone by Establishing a One-pot Bienzymatic Cascade
Published on: August 14, 2019
Bauhinia forficata Link authenticity using flavonoids profile: relation with their biological properties
Federico Ferreres1, Angel Gil-Izquierdo, Juliana Vinholes
1Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS (CSIC), P.O. Box 164, 30100 Campus University Espinardo, Murcia, Spain. federico@cebas.csic.es
Food Chemistry
|October 31, 2012
Summary
Authenticity of Bauhinia forficata Link was confirmed using HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n), revealing distinct flavonoid profiles. Commercial samples, rich in quercetin derivatives, exhibited superior biological activities like α-glucosidase inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Bauhinia forficata Link is used in traditional medicine, but its chemical composition and authenticity of commercial samples require thorough investigation.
- Understanding the flavonoid profile is crucial for validating its therapeutic properties and ensuring quality control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To authenticate commercial Bauhinia forficata Link samples using advanced analytical techniques.
- To compare the phenolic profiles and biological activities of certified and commercial B. forficata Link samples.
- To elucidate the chemical composition of B. forficata Link subsp. pruinosa for the first time.
Main Methods:
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection and Electrospray Ionization/Mass Spectrometry in Tandem (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n)) was employed for detailed chemical profiling.
- Quantification of 39 distinct flavonoid compounds across certified and commercial samples.
- In vitro assays were conducted to evaluate biological activities, including α-glucosidase inhibition, cholinesterase activity, and radical scavenging capacity (DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide).
Main Results:
- A unique flavonoid marker, kaempferol-3-O-(2-rhamnosyl)rutinoside, was identified in all analyzed samples.
- Commercial B. forficata Link samples displayed higher concentrations of quercetin derivatives and the presence of myricetin derivatives and flavonoids-(galloyl)glycosides.
- Commercial samples demonstrated enhanced α-glucosidase inhibition, cholinesterase activity, and radical scavenging effects compared to certified samples, likely due to higher quercetin derivative content.
Conclusions:
- Significant variations exist in the phenolic profiles of commercial Bauhinia forficata Link samples, impacting their biological efficacy.
- HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n) is a reliable method for authenticating B. forficata Link and assessing its quality.
- The study highlights the importance of chemical profiling for ensuring the quality and therapeutic potential of herbal medicines.
