Determination of qualitative and quantitative composition of triterpenic compounds in chaga (Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát) samples

Introduction. Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát) has been used for medicinal purposes since the 16th century. The health benefits of chaga are due to a variety of biologically active compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenic compounds etc.). Triterpenic compounds has a wide range of pharmacologic effects such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, liver protection, neuroprotection, cardiovascular protection, and metabolic regulation. [1] The aim of this study was to compare qualitative and quantitative composition of triterpenic compounds in chaga (Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát) samples. Materials and methods. I. obliquus powder was bought from two different producers. 1 g chaga powder was extracted by ultrasonication for 20 min. in an ultrasonic bath. After extraction, the acetonic extracts were filtered through cotton wool using a vacuum pump into a 10 ml volumetric flask and, in case of a shortage of extract, acetone was added to the mark. Before high-performance liquid chromatography analysis extracts were filtered through a 0.22 μm membrane filter. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Office Excel 2023 (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, USA) and SPSS 29.0.2 (Chicago, Illinois, USA). Results and their discussion. Both samples contained triterpenic compounds: corosolic acid, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. Higher corosolic acid content was evaluated in a sample Number 1 (95.3631.18 µg/g). Sample Number 2 showed lower corosolic acid content (71.3739.8 µg/g). Higher content of betulinic acid was ascertained in a sample Number 1 (111.1131.95 µg/g). The sample Number 2 contained lower amount of betulinic acid (94.4947.1 µg/g). Also, the oleanolic acid content in a sample Number 1 was higher (9.122.58 µg/g). Sample Number 2 showed less oleanolic acid amount (8.400.42 µg/g). The higher ursolic acid content was ascertained in sample Number 1 (38.8914.61 µg/g). Lower content was found in a sample Number 2 (29.202.69µg/g). In conclusion, our results indicate that the content of triterpenic compounds, including corosolic acid, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid, varies significantly between the analysed samples. These variations can be attributed to differences in growing conditions, geographical location, environmental and other factors.