Study of Phenolic Compounds of Rhododendron ponticumDistributed in Adjara

Abstract

Rhododendron ponticum L. represents an important relict species within the flora of Georgia, including the Adjara region, and is characterized by significant ecological value and a rich composition of biologically active metabolites. According to the available scientific literature, this species is particularly rich in polyphenolic compounds, especially flavanol-type catechins, which are widely recognized for their pronounced antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytoprotective properties. Nevertheless, the phenolic composition and quantitative distribution of phenolic metabolites in R. ponticum populations growing in Georgia remain insufficiently investigated.He present study aimed to identify and characterize the phenolic compounds present in the leaves of R. ponticum distributed in Georgia using qualitative and quantitative analytical approaches. The conducted analysis revealed the presence of several major phenolic constituents. Gallocatechin was detected, demonstrating the strong antioxidant potential of the species. In addition, catechin dimers, namely proanthocyanidins (Procyanidin B1, B2, and B3), were identified, which are known to contribute significantly to free radical scavenging mechanisms.Furthermore, several other phenolic metabolites were identified, including gallic acid, quercetin-3-O-glucoside (isoquercitrin), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin), kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside. The obtained findings confirm that R. ponticum growing in Georgia represents a valuable natural source of phenolic compounds and demonstrates considerable potential for further pharmacological and biochemical investigations.