The investigation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) raw

Black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) – a common garden medicinal plant of Grossulariaceae family. It accumulates biologically active substances – phenolic compounds, which mainly consist of flavonoids. Black currant raw materials increases urine output, sweating, inhibits inflammation, slows dow the development of bacteria and germs. The leaves have traditionally been used for arthritis, the berries have many vitamins. Leaves recently recognized as medicinal plant raw material and was included in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur. 07/2013:2528) [1]. The aim of this study – to determine the total phenolic compounds, flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and identify compounds of flavonoids in black currant Ribes nigrum L.) leaves, collected at different vegetation phase, and to compare the distribution in flowers, shoots and buds. Tasks – to identify and quantify the black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) flavonoids in different raw materials by high-performance liquid chromatography; to determine the total phenolic compounds by spectrophotometry and compare the distribution in different plant organs; to assess the total amount of flavonoids in different black currant raw material spectrophotometric; to compare antioxidant activity of black currant leaves, flowers, buds and shoots. Total phenolic compounds blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) raw materials ranging from 33.56 mg RE/g to 56.41 mg RE/g . The highest phenolic compounds set of black currant leaves - 56.41 mg RE/g . The amount in buds and shoots of phenolic compounds is almost similar. The minimum phenolic compounds detected in flowers - 33.56 mg RE/g . The highest phenolic compounds in black currant leaves wese collected in June. The highest amount of flavonoids is accounted in black currant leaves (21.85 mg RE/g ), twice smaller amount of flavonoids found in black currant rings. The flavonoids in black currant leaves is arising from flowering to fruit ripening end. The antioxidant activity of all the raw materials are similar, from 33.04 mg RE/g to 35.11 mg RE/g. Rutin, quercetin, catechin and hyperoside are the basics flavonoids in blackcurrant raw materials. The one phenolic acid - chlorogenic acid was found too. Comparing the distribution of compounds in blackcurrant leaves, flowers, shoots and buds, the biggest quantity of identified compounds were found in the leaves. Rutin is the dominant compound in buds and leaves, the rings have the highest amount of chlorogenic acid, hyperoside is the main flavonoid in shoots