Rutin Transformation During Its Analysis Involving Extraction Process for Sample Preparation

Rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) is one of the most popular phenolic compounds found in various plant species. Its miscellaneous biological activity and, especially, the ability to inhibit blood plates aggregation (which makes blood thinner and improves circulation in the blood circulation system), causes permanent interest in its properties and natural occurrence. Liquid-solid extraction is the most popular method for rutin isolation from plants. We found that at least 23 compounds (rutin transformation and degradation products and their methyl derivatives) were formed from rutin during its simulated and real extraction from elderberry flower by methanol and methanol/water mixtures. Twelve of them have not been reported yet. We observed that the amount of each formed compound depends not only on the extraction time, alcohol concentration and extractant pH but also on the components of plant matrix from which rutin was extracted.