Characterization and quantification of taxifolin related flavonoids in larix olgensis henry var. Koreana nakai extract analysis and its antioxidant activity assay

Abstract

Background and Objective: Taxifolin or dihydroquercetin, is believed to exhibit superior activity and have great use to the food industry. The present study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze flavonoids in the extract of Larix olgensis Henry var. koreana Nakai (which is widely distributed in Northern China) and investigate its antioxidant activity. Methodology: Flavonoid identification was performed using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrum/mass spectrum (HPLC-MS/MS) and high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) analysis, revealing that the above extract primarily contained taxifolin (92.01%) and small amounts of aromadendrin, eriodictyol, quercetin and kaempferol. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 17.0. Results: According to the antioxidant assay, the extract showed strong radical scavenging activity against the antioxidant activity were measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+), being more potent than butylated hydroxytoluene that was used as a positive control. Conclusion: Thus, the extract of Larix olgensis Henry var. koreana Nakai contained large amounts of flavonoids and exhibited strong antioxidant activity.