Distribution of Silymarin in the Fruit of Silybum marianum L.

Abstract

The fruit of Silybum marianum or milk thistle is known for its rich contents of flavonlignan compounds known as silymarin. Silymarin has been recognized for centuries as “liver tonics” and is well known to prevent or reverse hepatotoxicity. Silymarin is usually extracted from the defatted fruits in methanol in a yield of less than 2%. Fluorescent microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, accurate mass spectrometry as well as infra-red and Raman spectroscopy were used for mapping silymarin in the fruit. Silymarin was found to be only located in the pericarp section of the fruit. Extraction of silymarin from the pericarp gave higher yields of more than 6% and did not require defatting.