Studies on the Distribution of Polyphenols in the Parts of Quercus acutissima

Distribution of polyphenolic compounds in oak tree (Quercus acutissima, three years old) collected from Forest Research Institute located in Kwang Leung, Kyeonggi-do, Korea, was investigated using chromatographic studies. Total 25 polyphenolic fractions were separated from an oak tree, of which 15, 11, 7, 7, and 4 were in leaf, stem, root, bark, and seed, respectively. Catechins are predominant compounds in the polyphenols and some flavonoids were also identified. Distribution of polyphenols was relatively different in each part. Polyphenols in all of the part studied, except leaf where polymer was not detected, were existed as polymeric, oligomeric, and monomeric forms. Relative contents of total polyphenols in Quercus acutissima were the highest in bark, followed by root, leaf, acorn, and stem. Monomeric polyphenols were the predominant compounds present in all of the part of the oak tree.