Questions and Answers
What is the estimated number of different flavonoids found in nature?
What is the structural core of flavonoids?
Where are flavonoids typically stored in plant cells?
What is the primary function of flavonoids in plant defence?
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What is the typical location of the glycosidic linkage in flavonoid glycosides?
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What is the role of flavonoids in plant growth regulation?
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What is the benefit of flavonoids in absorbing energetic solar wavelengths?
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What is the common feature of flavonoid aglycones and glycosides in terms of solubility?
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What is the primary mechanism by which flavonoids act as antioxidants?
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What is the function of flavonoids in the quality and stability of foods?
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What is the characteristic arrangement of carbon atoms in the basic nucleus of flavonoids?
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Which of the following is NOT a major class of flavonoids?
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What is the typical location of the glycosidic linkage in flavonoids?
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What is the distinguishing feature of flavones compared to flavonols?
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Which of the following is a potential application of flavonoids?
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What is the typical spectral range of Band I in flavonoids?
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Study Notes
Flavonoids
- Over 9000 different flavonoids occur naturally, with a basic nucleus of 15 carbon atoms in a C6-C3-C6 structural core.
- Biosynthesized from shikimate (C6-C3) and acetate (C6) biosynthetic pathways.
Distribution and Properties
- Found in all plant organs, including flowers, leaves, stems, and roots, mostly as glycosides in vacuoles.
- Abundant in foods and beverages of plant origin, such as fruits, vegetables, tea, cocoa, and wine.
- Occur as aglycones, glycosides, and methylated derivatives.
- Soluble in water and organic solvents, with glycosides being readily soluble in water, methanol, and ethanol.
Functions in Plants
- Contribute to flower and fruit colors and aroma, attracting pollinators and aiding in fruit dispersion, growth, and development.
- Protect plants from biotic and abiotic stressors, functioning as antimicrobial compounds, detoxifying agents, and signal molecules.
- Combat oxidative stress by absorbing solar wavelengths, inhibiting ROS generation, and quenching ROS.
- Act as growth regulators, regulating auxin and influencing plant morphoanatomical features.
Human Applications
- Used as antioxidants, suppressing ROS formation, scavenging ROS, and upregulating antioxidant defenses.
- Used as antimicrobial agents, effective against a wide array of microorganisms.
- Used as anti-inflammatory agents, inhibiting enzymes and proinflammatory mediators.
- Used as hepatoprotective agents, with reported activities against catechin, apigenin, quercetin, naringenin, and rutin.
- Influence food quality and stability, acting as flavorings, colorants, and antioxidants.
Importance and Applications
- Indispensable component in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medicinal, and cosmetic applications due to antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Classes of Flavonoids
- Major classes include flavones, flavonols, flavanones, isoflavanones, anthocyanins, and chalcones.
- Differ in the level of oxidation and pattern of substitution of the C ring, while individual compounds within a class differ in the pattern of substitution of the A and B rings.
- Flavonoids are often hydroxylated in positions 3, 5, 7, 2, 3′, 4′, and 5′.
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Description
This quiz covers the basic structure and occurrence of flavonoids, a type of naturally occurring phenol found in plant organs and food products.
