Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF FLAVONOIDS IN DIFFERENT FRUIT PARTS OF IRAQI SOUR ORANGE

Ali Rahman Jasim*, Ahmed Abbas Hussein and Abdul- Mutalib A. G. Nasser

ABSTRACT

Citrus aurantium of the Rutaceae family is growing widely in Iraq. Literature survey revealed that there was no phytochemical study concerning Citrus aurantium fruits in Iraq. Flavonoids from citrus genus have become of particular importance due to their broad spectrum of biological activities, including anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic properties; therefore a research on Iraqi Citrus aurantium fruits will be of important value. This study is concerned with the extraction, identification, isolation and purification of some biologically important flavonoids in different fruit parts of Iraqi Citrus aurantium including peels, pulps and juice. Extraction was carried out by Soxhlet apparatus. The isolated compounds were identified by melting points (M.P.) measurement, thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Elemental microanalysis (CHN) and1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) analysis. The most suitable extraction and identification methods were fully described in this study. This study confirms the presence of Neohesperidin, Naringin, Tangeretin and Nobiletin and the absence of Hesperidin and Narirutin in different fruit parts of Iraqi Citrus aurantium. The separated flavonoids have important medicinal, therapeutic and biological activities.

Keywords: Citrus aurantium, Neohesperidin, Naringin, Tangeretin, Nobiletin.