Content of Ascorbic Acid in Common Cowslip (Primula veris L.) Compared to Common Food Plants and Orange Juices

Abstract

Ascorbic acid is a well-known antioxidant found in plants. The content of ascorbic acid was assayed using a normal phase European Pharmacopoeia HPLC method for ascorbic acid in medicinal products. The content of ascorbic acid in herbs was calculated in % for absolutely dry drug. Ascorbic acid was not detected in the roots of Primula veris, in aerial parts it was detected in flowers (0.43 ± 0.034%), in blades (1.43 ± 0.11%) and petioles (1.56 ± 0.12%). In fresh leaves collected at weekly intervals the content of ascorbic acid varied from 1.19 to 2.39%, being highest from mid-May to mid-June. The fresh leaves contained 2.35 ± 0.18% of ascorbic acid and when frozen its content was quite stable for one year. The content of ascorbic acid in dried leaves decreased more than ten times in three months, in twelve months it was less than 1/20 th of the initial level. Compared to the analyzed common fresh fruits and salads (n = 10) the fresh leaves of common cowslip contained considerably more ascorbic acid. Commercial orange juices could be recommended as the most convenient source of ascorbic acid (8.6-50.4 mg/100 ml); 1-5 glasses of orange juice could fulfill the recommended daily intake of vitamin C (60 mg). Gale et al. (1995), the intake of ascorbic acid in winter was less than in summer and this was reflected in the serum levels; probably the lower plasma levels in winter increased people's susceptibility to infections. The influence of vitamin C intake on cardiovascular disease is not clear (Tomas-Barberan and Robins, 1997). Deficiency of ascorbic acid leads to scurvy, accompanied by osteoporosis and severe anemia. As a supportive medication ascorbic acid could be used in case of the following illnesses or disease states: alcoholism, arthritis, influenza, back pain, diseases of teeth and gums, dermatitis, psoriasis, bronchitis, nephritis, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, stenocardia, diabetes, atherosclerosis, jaundice, osteoporosis, prostatitis, etc. (Meos, 2003;Zilmer et al., 2006). It is also used for general strengthening of the organism and for maintaining physical and mental ability to work as well as for enhancing the capacity of the organism's resistance in the case of exhaustion or recovery period from a severe illness (Margna, 2011). As vitamin C is not synthesized in human liver, human beings must constantly supplement their diets with ascorbic acid (Ege, 1999;Dewick, 2006). It is found in many fruits and vegetables (TomasBarberan and Robins, 1997), for example in different sweet pepper cultivars, potato, green bean, tomato, quince, cucumber, marrow, peach, etc. (Dürüst et al., 1997). In addition to vegetarian diet, the organism can absorb ascorbic acid also from medicinal herbs such as common cowslip, Rosa species, blackcurrant, common sea-buckthorn, etc. (Tammeorg et al., 1975;Bunney, 1993;Raal, 2010). Keywords: ascorbic acid, vitamin C,Common cowslip (Cowslip primrose, Primula veris L. syn. Primula offcinalis Hill, Primulaceae) is a perennial herb with an ovate to oblong stalked leaves, which are arranged i...

Cowslip (Primula Veris L.) Chemical Composition Dependence on the Soil Properties

“…2 does not differ significantly. In aerial parts of cowslip, scientists detected ascorbic acid in relatively large quantities in flowers than that in leaves (Meos et al, 2017). Our research has obtained similar results.…”

“…High levels of ascorbic acid are found in aerial parts of cowslip plants. Estonian scientists in fresh cowslip leaves collected from the end of April to the end of June established that the content of ascorbic acid varied from 1.19 to 2.39% (Meos et al, 2017). They found insignificant higher content of ascorbic acid in plants when flowering was finishing.…”

“…They found insignificant higher content of ascorbic acid in plants when flowering was finishing. And even at the end of the vegetation period, when the plants leave started to turn yellow, they contained ascorbic acid in a considerable amount (Meos et al, 2017). The yellow color of the flowers indicates carotenoids accumulation.…”

Determination of the biochemical content and antioxidant properties of some medical plants grown in the North East Anatolia Region ecological conditions

“…A.sylvestris) değerleri arasında olduğu belirlenmiştir. Meos ve ark [44]. P.veris'in taze yapraklarının kuru yapraklarından çok daha fazla askorbik asit içerdiğini bildirmişlerdir.…”

“…Bu durumun taze örnekle çalışmamızdan kaynaklandığı düşünülmektedir. Çünkü askorbik asitin kurutma boyunca uygulanan sıcaklıklardan etkilenerek bozulduğu bilinmektedir[44].Örneklerin antioksidan aktivite sonuçları Tablo 3'de verilmiştir. Çalışmada antioksidan aktiviteler üç farklı metotla (ABTS, FRAP ve DPPH) belirlenmiştir.…”