Quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography photo-diode array (HPLC-PDA) analysis of benzophenones and biflavonoids in eight Garcinia species

Eight Garcinia species including seven edible fruits, Garcinia aristata, G. hombroniana, G. intermedia, G. livingstonei, the “superfruit” G. mangostana, G. spicata, and G. xanthochymus, and the wood of G. kola were analyzed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography photo-diode array (HPLC-PDA) method. Three benzophenones, guttiferone A, guttiferone E, and xanthochymol, and four biflavonoids amentoflavone, fukugeside, fukugetin, and volkensiflavone were identified and quantified by HPLC-PDA with authentic standards to verify their identity. Garcinia intermedia (IC50 = 60.1 ± 27.3 μg/mL) and G. mangostana (IC50 = 64.3 ± 11.3 μg/mL) fruits demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. The highest level of xanthochymol was found in G. spicata (70.50 ± 1.10 mg/g dry weight), while the highest quantity of guttiferone A was detected in G. intermedia (43.00 ± 0.30 mg/g dry weight), and thus was determined to be rich in total phenolic content.

► This phytochemical study included seven edible Garcinia fruits and wood of G. kola.
► The amounts of polyisoprenylated benzophenones and biflavonoids were quantified.
► Highest antioxidant capacity was detected in G. intermedia and G. mangostana.
► The highest level of xanthochymol was found in G. spicata (70.50 ± 1.10 mg/g).