ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN THE PLANT Taraxacum officinale Wigg. AND PROSPECTS OF APPLICATION IN FUNCTIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS

УДК 658.56 (075.8)

Abstract

In this study, the quantitative composition of water-soluble polysaccharides and flavonoid compounds in the above-ground (leaves and flowers) and underground (root) parts of the wild Taraxacum officinale Wigg. (dandelion) plant growing in different natural and regional conditions of the Republic of Uzbekistan was studied. Changes in the biochemical composition depending on the geographical location of the plant raw material were determined.

Water-soluble polysaccharides were isolated by aqueous extraction and subsequently purified by alcohol precipitation. Flavonoid compounds were determined using spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). According to the results of the study, the content of water-soluble polysaccharides in the above-ground part was 5.31–5.81%, and in the underground part - 3.91–3.92%. Among flavonoids, rutin stood out as the main component, and its content in the aboveground part reached 119,189–166,854 mg/100 g.

The results obtained show that the dandelion plant growing in Uzbekistan has high biological activity and strong antioxidant properties. These substances can be effectively used as natural antioxidants and immunomodulators in the production of functional food products, biologically active additives and healthy nutrition products. The results of the study open up prospects for creating functional products that can replace imports using local raw materials.

Аннотация

В данном исследовании изучался количественный состав водорастворимых полисахаридов и флавоноидных соединений в надземной (листья и цветки) и подземной (корень) частях дикорастущего одуванчика лекарственного (Taraxacum officinale Wigg.), произрастающего в различных природных и региональных условиях Республики Узбекистан. Были определены изменения биохимического состава в зависимости от географического местоположения растительного сырья.

Водорастворимые полисахариды выделяли водной экстракцией и впоследствии очищали осаждением спиртом. Флавоноидные соединения определяли с помощью спектрофотометрии и высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии (ВЭЖХ). По результатам исследования содержание водорастворимых полисахаридов в надземной части составляло 5,31–5,81%, а в подземной части – 3,91–3,92%. Среди флавоноидов основным компонентом выделялся рутин, содержание которого в надземной части достигало 119 189–166 854 мг/100 г.

Полученные результаты показывают, что одуванчик, произрастающий в Узбекистане, обладает высокой биологической активностью и сильными антиоксидантными свойствами. Эти вещества могут эффективно использоваться в качестве природных антиоксидантов и иммуномодуляторов при производстве функциональных продуктов питания, биологически активных добавок и продуктов здорового питания. Результаты исследования открывают перспективы для создания функциональных продуктов, способных заменить импорт, с использованием местного сырья.

Keywords: T. officinale, dandelion, flavonoids, rutin, polysaccharides, HPLC, functional food, antioxidant

Ключевые слова: T. officinale, одуванчик, флавоноиды, рутин, полисахариды, ВЭЖХ, функциональное питание, антиоксидант.

Introduction. Taraxacum officinale Wigg. (Asteraceae family) is a widely used medicinal and edible plant, and plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine, functional foods, health products, daily chemicals, and nutritional supplements. The chemical composition of T. officinale is associated with high biological activity. Modern studies show that T. officinale contains flavonoids, amino acids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, coumarins, lignans, polysaccharides, phytosterols, terpenes, glycoproteins, oligosaccharides, alkaloids, and other bioactive compounds [1]. T. officinale has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic properties, and shows the ability to regulate hormonal balance and protect some internal organs. Among these properties, flavonoids and their antioxidant activity are of particular note [2-8]. T. officinale is a nutritious wild vegetable species listed as Taraxaci Herba in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. This term is used generically for various perennial herbaceous plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. Its biological activity is determined by its complex chemical components, mainly sesquiterpenoids, phenolic compounds, essential oils, saccharides, flavonoids, sphingolipids, triterpenoids, sterols, coumarins, etc. These phytocomponents give the plant unique pharmacological properties [3].

Flavonoids are a class of natural compounds with a 2-phenylchromanthone skeleton, characterized by the presence of a ketone carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group. They are often called yellow xanthophylls or flavonoids. T. officinale contains quercetin, chrysoeriol, diosmetin, luteolin and other flavonoids, which play an important role in plant growth, development, flowering, fruiting and defense against pathogens [4-7]. In terms of chemical structure, flavonoids have a basic C6-C3-C6 skeleton: the aromatic A ring is fused to the pyranone C ring and then linked to the aromatic B ring. The A and B rings are substituted with substituents such as hydroxyl, methoxy, methyl, and isopentenyl, which gives rise to a variety of derivatives and biological activities [5-6]. Flavonoids in plants are mainly present in the form of glycosides, i.e. hydroxyl groups linked to sugar units and two aromatic rings (A and B). Many studies have proven that the medicinal value of dandelion is closely related to the antioxidant activity of dandelion flavonoids [9]. Flavonoids are a class of natural compounds with the 2-phenylchromanthone structure and a ketone carbonyl group. The oxygen atom at the first position is basic and can form a strong acidic salt. The hydroxy derivative is yellow in color and is called a xanthophyll or flavonoid. Dandelion contains a variety of flavonoids, which are important in plant growth, development, flowering, fruiting, and defense against bacteria. Six flavonoids, including apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, luteolin-7-β-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin-7-β-d-glucopyranoside, and quercetin-37-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside, have been isolated from T. mongolicum and identified [10].

Materials and research methods

The underground and above-ground parts of the plant Taraxacum officinale Wigg., which grows wild in the Kosonsoy district of Namangan region and the Nanay village of Yangikurgan district, were selected as the object of research. The raw materials were collected in August-September 2024 in ecologically clean areas, away from industrial enterprises and highways.

Isolation of water-soluble polysaccharides. 100 g of air-dried and ground raw material was treated with chloroform to separate chlorophylls and lipophilic substances. Then the raw material was dried and brought to a state that could pass through a 5 mm sieve. The extraction process was carried out twice in a water bath for 2–3 hours in a ratio of 1:3 with water. The resulting extracts were filtered, combined and evaporated in a rotary evaporator until a thick mass was formed. The polysaccharides were precipitated using 94% ethyl alcohol in a double volume. The precipitate was separated by centrifugation (6000 rpm, 10 minutes), washed and dried. The total polysaccharide yield was 6–7%.

Quantitative determination of flavonoids. Extraction was performed twice in 70% ethanol at 70-75°C for 3 hours with vigorous stirring and a solvent:plant ratio of 90:20. The solutions were filtered and combined. A 1-mL aliquot was diluted with 9 mL of acetonitrile:buffer (acetate) at a ratio of 70:30. The mixture was centrifuged and filtered through a membrane filter.

Analysis was performed by HPLC using isocratic elution mode and a diode array detector (DAD). Acetonitrile and buffer solution were used as the mobile phase. Spectral data were analyzed in the spectral range from 200 to 400 nm.

Chromatography conditions:

Chromatograph - Agilent Technologies 1260

Mobile phase – acetonitrile – buffer solution (30:70) (isocratic mode)

pH = 2.92 for 15-20 min.

Injection volume – 5 µl.

Mobile phase flow rate – 0.75 ml/min.

Column – Eclipse XDB – C18. 5.0 µm, 4.6 x 250 mm.

Detector – diode array detector, wavelengths 254, 320, 381 nm.

Results and discussion. The results of the study showed that the amount of water-soluble polysaccharides in different parts of the plant Taraxacum officinale Wigg. significantly differed.

Table 1. Amount of water-soluble polysaccharides in Taraxacum officinale Wigg.

According to the results, the content of polysaccharides in the aboveground parts is higher than in the underground parts, which is explained by the carbohydrate compounds formed during the photosynthesis of the plant. The high content of polysaccharides allows them to be used as a natural fiber supplement in the food industry. Also, the flavonoid compounds in T. officinale were quantitatively evaluated.

Table 2. Flavonoid content (mg/100 g) in T. officinale

The results showed that the plant contained a high amount of rutin among flavonoids, especially in the aboveground parts, reaching 166,854 mg/100 g. This increases the possibility of adding dandelion to food products as an antioxidant active additive.

The antioxidant properties of flavonoids are explained by their ability to neutralize free radicals through their phenolic hydroxyl groups. The compounds apigenin and hypolaetin are also characterized by their anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects. Hyperazide is one of the biologically active substances as a polyphenol glycoside.

T. officinale contains polysaccharides and flavonoids that allow it to be used as a biologically active additive in functional food products. Dandelion extracts can be used as a natural antioxidant in fruit drinks and juices, a source of dietary fiber in bread and confectionery products, as well as a functional additive and stabilizer in products based on pastilles, marmalades and fruit purees. These components serve to increase the biological value of the product and extend its shelf life.

Conclusion

According to the results of the study, the content of water-soluble polysaccharides in the aboveground parts of T. officinale was determined to be in the range of 5.31–5.81%, and in the underground parts - 3.91–3.92%.

Among the flavonoid compounds, the content of rutin was predominant, reaching 119.189–166.854 mg/100 g in the aboveground parts. Apigenin, hypolaetin and hyperazide compounds were also identified as important bioactive components.

The results obtained indicate the possibility of using T. officinale in the production of functional food products as a natural antioxidant, dietary fiber and biologically active additive.

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