QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FLAVONOIDS, TERPENOIDS, AND POLYPHENOLS IN CHAMOMILE FLOWERS BY HPLC AND GC-MS METHODS

RAJA KUMAR PARABATHINA; NIDHI NILESH DUBEY; SANIKA SWAPNIL GIRGAONKAR; VISHAL NANDAKUMAR LOLGE; KUSHAL KONDBA NARWADE

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i9.54977

Authors

RAJA KUMAR PARABATHINA Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, MGM University, Chh. Sambhajinagar-431003, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8157-4302
NIDHI NILESH DUBEY Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, MGM University, Chh. Sambhajinagar-431003, India
SANIKA SWAPNIL GIRGAONKAR Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, MGM University, Chh. Sambhajinagar-431003, India
VISHAL NANDAKUMAR LOLGE Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, MGM University, Chh. Sambhajinagar-431003, India https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2609-8534
KUSHAL KONDBA NARWADE Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, MGM University, Chh. Sambhajinagar-431003, India https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2905-8281

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i9.54977

Keywords:

Matricaria chamomilla, Phytochemicals, HPLC, GC-MS, Apigenin

Abstract

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols, present in Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) flowers using HPLC and GC-MS methods.

Methods: HPLC and GC-MS methods were employed for the estimation of flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols in chamomile flower extract, with standard procedures, and an RP-18 column was employed for HPLC. Whereas the GC-MS was conducted at Toshvin Research and Application Centre (TRACe), Mumbai, using a Shimadzu GC-MS-TQ8050NX system with an AOC-30 autosampler.

Results: The total phenolic content (TPC) of the hydro-alcoholic extract is found to be 782.1 mg GAE/g, indicating a high concentration of antioxidant compounds. The DPPH assay further confirmed this, showing a 75.1% radical scavenging activity at 10 µl** concentration. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified apigenin as the predominant flavonoid, with the highest peak area (44.432), followed by Morin, Naringin, Quercetin, and Rutin, suggesting it as a key compound contributing to chamomile’s medicinal properties. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the n-hexane extract led to the identification of 20 compounds. These included a variety of alkanes, terpenoids (such as phytol and caryophyllene oxide), sterols (e. g., stigmasterol, ergost-5-en-3-ol), fatty acid esters, siloxanes, and other hydrocarbons. Several compounds, including squalene, phytol, and erucamide, have been studied for their established anticancer and antimicrobial activities.

Conclusion: These results affirm the phytochemical richness of chamomile and support its continued exploration as a source of natural compounds for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.

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