Quantitative Analysis of Glucofrangulins and Phenolic Compounds in Croatian Rhamnus and Frangula Species

Barks of seven Rhamnus L. and two Frangula Mill. species growing in Croatia were investigated in order to determine the content of biologically active compounds. All taxa tested had a high content of total polyphenols (from 2.68% in R. orbiculata to 8.50% in R. pumila), medium content of glucofrangulins (from 0.22% in R. pumila to 9.26% in R. fallax), nontannic polyphenols (from 0.73% in R. orbiculata to 5.92% in F. alnus) and tannins (from 1.10% in R. saxatilis to 4.92% in R. alaternus) and a rather low content of phenolic acids (from 0.44% in R. orbiculata to 1.81% in R. intermedia) and flavonoids (from 0.02% in F. alnus to 1.44% in R. pumila). ANOVA showed the most variability for content of glucofrangulins, less for content of flavonoids, phenolic acids and nontannic polyphenols, and the least for content of total polyphenols and tannins.