INFLORESCENCES OF GRAY WILLOW (SALIX CINEREA L.) AND SALLOW (SALIX CAPREA L.) AS A SOURCE OF DIOSMETHINE DERIVATIVES
The article shows results of comparative characteristic of external features and chemical composition of inflorescences of two genus species Salix: S. cinerea L. and S. caprea L. Diagnostic features of male inflorescences of Salix cinerea are stated: there are 2 stamens in each flower, filaments are light yellow, free moving, up to 5 mm long (filaments of Salix caprea are three times as long); bract chaffs are black, elliptical, uniform, covered by light hairs, up to 2 mm long. 5 zones corresponding to flavonoid substances are determined by the results of TLC analysis on the cellulose plates in the diluent system isopropanol-formic acid-water (2 : 5 : 5 V/V/V). Female inflorescences of Salix cinerea showed a flavonoid composition similar to the male inflorescences of Salix caprea. Quercetin, capreosid and glycosides of flavonols are determined, and capreosid (diosmetin-7-β-D-glucopiranosyl-6-α-L-arabofuranoside) dominates. Besides these compounds diosmetin and glycosides of luteolin are present in male inflorescences of Salix cinerea. The chromatogram of extractions from male inflorescences of Salix cinerea obtained by HPLC shows 5 peaks of flavonoid substances, four of which belong to flavones according to absorption spectra (derivatives of diosmetin and luteolin) and 1 - to flavonols. Total flavonoid content of Salix cinerea inflorescences changes from 2,8 % to 4,2 % in accordance with the flowering period. Maximal content is presented in male inflorescences of Salix cinerea at the beginning of flowering. This stage of vegetation is optimal for collection of raw material. Flavonoid content of Salix caprea male inflorescences is yet higher (up to 7,5 %). Minimal content is determined in female inflorescences of Salix cinerea.