No abstract

Optimal extraction methods and Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (RP-HPLC) procedures were developed for the isolation and resolution of naturally occurring flavonoids and related phenolic compounds in Rosa petals. The following flavonoids and related phenolics were identified or partly identified: cyanidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside; cyanidin 3,s-di-0-glycoside (sugar moieties, glucose and arabinose); pelargonidin 3,s-di-0-glycoside; pelargonidin 3-0-glycoside; quercetin 3-0-glucoside; ellagic acid; quercetin 3-0-arabinoside; quercetin 4'-O-glucoside; kaempferol 4'-O-glucoside; kaempferol 3-0-rutinoside; kaempferol 3-0-glucoside; kaempferol3-0-arabinoside; kaempferol3-0-rhamnoside and kaempferol3-0-glycoside. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences between the above flavonoid markers allowed an objective distinction between 44 cultivars examined. The production of 'Flower Flavonoid RP-HPLC Fingerprints', which have been converted in the corresponding 'Computer Flower Flavonoid Identity Cards' via a suitable computer program, has proven to be of great value for Rosa cultivar recognition.