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SEEDS AND FLOWERS OF CHESTNUT TREES IN URBAN AREAS: A MUNICIPAL WASTE OR A RAW MATERIAL

Authors: Zoran Maksimović (University of Belgrade, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Belgrade, Serbia) , Jelena Arsenijević (University of Belgrade, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Belgrade, Serbia) , Jelena Novaković (University of Belgrade, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Belgrade, Serbia) , Danica Agbaba (University of Belgrade, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia) , Saša Janković (Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia) , Marijana Ćurčić (University of Belgrade, School of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“, Belgrade, Serbia) , Biljana Antonijević (University of Belgrade, School of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“, Belgrade, Serbia)

  • SEEDS AND FLOWERS OF CHESTNUT TREES IN URBAN AREAS: A MUNICIPAL WASTE OR A RAW MATERIAL

    Kategorija rada – Originalni rad

    SEEDS AND FLOWERS OF CHESTNUT TREES IN URBAN AREAS: A MUNICIPAL WASTE OR A RAW MATERIAL

    Authors: , , , , , ,

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Abstract

This study deals with the examination of total aescin content in flowers and seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum L. and Aesculus x carnea Hayne (Hippocastanaceae), collected in urban areas, as well as the content of Pb, Cd and Hg as an indicator of potential aerial pollution. Aescin identification was performed by TLC. Total aescin content was determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry and HPTLC densitometry. The contents of Pb, Cd and Hg was determined by AAS. The concentration of aescin varied in a wide range between 0.17% (A. hippocastanum hulls) and 2.95% (A. hippocastanum cotyledons), as determined by spectrophotometric assay. Slightly lower results were recorded in HPTLC densitometry assay, ranging from 0,10% (the hulls of both plant species) to 2.39% (A. x carnea cotyledons). The extractable matter yield was between 5% and 26%, with a high share of total aescin (5% - 13%, depending on the source). The levels of Pb, Cd and Hg both in the plant material and the extracts remained low, indicating that the health safety of the plant specimens was not compromised. Our results suggest that the seeds and flowers of Chestnut trees in urban areas could be considered as a raw material for chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Serbia.

Keywords: Aesculus hippocastanum L., Aesculus x carnea Hayne, aescin, health safety, spectrophotometry, HPTLC densitometry, AAS

How to Cite:

Maksimović, Z., Arsenijević, J., Novaković, J., Agbaba, D., Janković, S., Ćurčić, M. & Antonijević, B., (2012) “SEEDS AND FLOWERS OF CHESTNUT TREES IN URBAN AREAS: A MUNICIPAL WASTE OR A RAW MATERIAL”, Lekovite Sirovine 32(1), 47–58.

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Published on
2012-12-25

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