Comparative Study of Quercetin Content in Marketed Seeds of Linum usitatissimum L. (Flax), Salvia hispanica L. (Chia), and Helianthus annuus L. (Sunflower) and their Microgreens Using HPTLC from West Bengal

Abstract

Background Microgreens, the early developmental stage of edible plants, have gained prominence for their dense nutrient composition. Yet the variations in quercetin content among different microgreen species remain insufficiently explored. Aim The aim of this research was to use HPTLC to compare the quercetin content of commercial flax, chia, and sunflower seeds as well as the comparable microgreens. Materials and Methods Toluene, ethyl acetate, and formic acid were used as the mobile phase at a ratio of 5:4:0.2 (%v/v/v) for the chromatographic analysis, which was conducted using aluminum-backed silica gel 60F254 plates. To ensure that the results were precise, accurate, and reproducible, rigorous technique validation processes were carried out. Results Total Flavonoid content in the three seeds and microgreens studied, and the highest value was 38.92±0.4 and 76.36±0.4gm QE/100g. Well separated and compact spots (R) of quercetin (0.41±0.03) were detected. The regression equation obtained was y=0.0002x + 0.0001, with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9833. The linearity range (μg/spots) was 20-100. The LOD/ LOQ (ng/spot) were 37.66/114.15. Salvia hispanica L Seeds and microgreens (0.84±0.01 and 0.88±0.005% W/W) contained maximum amount of quercetin compared to Linus usitatissimum L. and Helianthus annus L. in ethanolic extract. Conclusion The study revealed that the Salvia hispanica L. microgreen possess the highest quercetin content among the studied seeds and microgreens, while microgreens of all three plants are promising sources of quercetin, showcasing a remarkable increase compared to their seeds. Highlighting their potential as dietary sources rich in quercetin.

Keywords: Microgreens; Quercetin; Comparative nutritional value; Linumusitatissimum L. (Flax); Salviahispanica L. (Chia); Helianthus annuus L. (Sunflower)