Phytochemical profile of Liquidambar styraciflua L. leaves in conditions of Kyiv city

For the first time in Ukraine, phytochemical studies of the raw material of Liquidambar styraciflua L. were conducted. In particular, the content of the main groups of biologically active compounds in the leaves of these plants was analyzed, including flavonoids (catechins, leucoanthocyanins, anthocyanins), vitamins (ascorbic acid), pigments (carotenoids, chlorophylls), polysaccharides, and tannins.It was found that flavonoid compounds in the leaves of L. styraciflua contain 356.13 mg % of catechins, 151.86 mg % of anthocyanins, and 872.93 mg % of leucoanthocyanins. This composition of secondary metabolites is supplemented by ascorbic acid (51.43 mg %), polysaccharides (3.50 %), and a significant amount of tannins (5.07 %). There is also a relatively high content of lipophilic compounds – carotenoids (49.01 mg %) and chlorophylls (220.60 mg %). The results of the studies advocate the prospective application of L. styraciflua plants as a source of flavonoid compounds, vitamins, and other biologically active substances. The results of this study can be helpful for identifying the Liquidambar species and searching for new promising phytochemical sources for the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.