Identification of Flavonoids in Sunflower Honey

Abstract

ABSTRACT The flavonoids of sunflower honey were isolated and analyzed by different methods: RP‐TLC, RP‐HPLC/UV‐Vis (diode array detection) using post‐column derivatization, GC/SM. Five main compounds were identified as pinocembrin (5,7‐dihydroxyflavanone), pinobank‐sin (3,5,7‐trihydroxyflavanone), chrysin (5,7‐dihydroxyflavone), gal‐angin (3,5,7‐trihydroxyflavone) and quercetin (3,5,7,3′,4′‐pentahydroxy flavone). Two minor flavonoids were also detected: tectochrysin (5‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxyflavone) and kaempferol (3,5,7,4′‐tetrahydroxy flavone). All these compounds had been previously reported in propolis, another hive product. Honey is a source of flavonoids in the human diet. Flavonoid structures may provide an index of floral origin with further study.