Application of separation methods for analysis of phytochemical compounds in plants

Roblová Vendula


Phytochemicals are chemical substances that naturally occur almost in every plant. The significant
part is represented by the polyphenolic compounds which are mainly formed as secondary metabolites
in plant biosynthesis and perform various functions in organism e.g. protection against pathogens.
Polyphenolics are well-known for its antioxidant properties thus the major role consists in
regulation of oxidative processes in organism. Also, they reduce the probability of cardiovascular
diseases and prevent carcinogenesis.

This work is focused on the determination of polyphenolics in different plant material using
analytical separation techniques such as the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The main part of this contribution summarizes results
obtained by electrophoretic fingerprint of Mentha herbal samples supplemented by spectrophotometric
characterization of antioxidant activity ant total polyphenolic content and discuss the relation
between particular characteristics evaluated by principal component analysis. Other parts are based
on the determination of selected polyphenolic compounds in in sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides
L.) plant parts and noni (Morinda citrifolia) products using HPLC. In all cases, the critical part
of analysis relates with plant samples pre-treatment and extraction procedure. Several extraction
technique as Soxhlet extraction, solid phase extraction or liquid-liquid extraction were used for
samples treatment and their efficiency were compared.

Also antioxidant properties of polyphenols were studied across all type of plant samples. Commonly
determined parameters of antioxidant properties are total content of polyphenols (TPC) and total
antioxidant activity (TAA).