Intraspecific variability in the content of phenolic compounds, essential oil and mucilage of small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) from Poland

- Variability of Tilia cordata in respect of active compounds was investigated.
- Phenolic acids, flavonoids, essential oil and mucilage were determined in flowers.
- Flavonoid compounds differentiated analyzed populations at the highest degree.
- Rutoside, (−)-epicatechin and vanilic acid were the dominants.

The aim of the study was to investigate the chemical variability of small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) growing wild in the eastern area of Poland, in terms of content and composition of phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids), composition of essential oil and content of mucilage in flowers. Analyzed populations differed significantly when regards the accumulation of biologically active compounds. The total content of phenolic acids ranged from 0.17 to 1.87 g × 100 g−1, flavonoids from 0.09 to 0.52 g × 100 g−1, and mucilage from 0.6 to 3.0 g × 100 g−1. Using validated HPLC-DAD method, the chemical composition of phenolic acids and flavonoids were determined. Among phenolic acids, four compounds were identified with vanillic acid as the dominant one (391.5-1718.0 mg × 100 g−1). Among flavonoids, nine compounds were found. Rutoside and (−)-epicatechin (tannin precursor) were present in the highest amounts (1264.1-4654.6 mg × 100 g−1 and 1000.3-4745.6 mg × 100 g−1, respectively). GC-MS and GC-FID were used to perform the qualitative and quantitative analyze of the essential oil. The major compounds were alkanes: tricosane (5.7-20.7%), pentacosane (3.0-6.1%) and heneicosane (1.1-6.1%), as well as acetophenon (3.5-6.9%), nonanal (1.3-7.8%) and nonanoic acid (3.9-18.2%).