Furocoumarin Contents in the Vegetative Organs of Cultivated Psoralea Species

Abstract

Furocoumarin content was investigated in the different vegetative organs of several cultivated Psoralea species (P. macrostachya DC, P. onobrychis Nutt., P. glandulosa L. and P. bituminosa L.). The linear furocoumarin psoralen and its angular isomer angelicin are ubiquitously present, although their concentrations vary greatly in different species and plant organs. The vegetative organs of some Psoralea species can be regarded as interesting natural furocoumarin sources, considering their great biomass production. The importance of the co-occurrence of both isomers as chemical markers for the genus Psoralea and of their ratio as a specific character, is confirmed.