Flavonoid Chemical Markers in Poinsettia Bracts1

Abstract

Abstract High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedures for the separation of flavonoids in poinsettia bracts are described. Anthocyanins present were cyanidin 3-galactoside, and the 3-glucosides and 3-rutinosides of cyanidin and pelargonidin. Flavonols present were 3-rhamnosylgalactosides, 3-rhamnosylgluco-sides, 3-galactosides, 3-glucosides, and 3-rhamnosides of quercetin and kaempferol. The use of these chemical markers along with the classical methods for plant identification should help resolve the difficulties of describing new cultivars protected by the plant patent law.