Determination of the isolated Rutin And Quercetin Contents In Syrian Ficus Carica L. Leaves Extracts

The major flavonoid glycoside in Syrian ficus leaves extracts (rutin) was identified quantitatively and isolated, then transformed into its aglycone (quercetin) by acidic hydrolysis of ethanolic and aqueous extracts. The influence of the hydrolysis process on isoquercitrin content was investigated too. The determination was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography, and the isolation done by thin layer chromatography plates, then identified by mass spectrum. Results showed that the rutin content in the ethanolic extract 78.79% was higher than the aqueous one 61.90%, by using ultrasonic extraction procedure, the quercetin content by hydrolysis process was more satisfaction in the ethanolic extract 81.00% than the aqueous one 72.53%. Acidic hydrolysis process destroyed some of the isoquercitrin in the extracts, the detection of isoquercitrin was done qualitatively by noticing the mass spectrum and the photo diode array spectrum. Rutin and quercetin were successfully isolated, the relative peak areas for isolated rutin and quercetin were 99.80%, 96.46%, respectively. It was concluded that rutin can be easily converted into quercetin by acidic hydrolysis, allowing the use of Syrian ficus leaves extracts as an optimal cheap natural antioxidants source.