Studies on the Conformity of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Samples from Turkish Market to European Pharmacopeia

Fidan PESEN ÖZDOĞAN^*,#, Nilüfer ORHAN*^,°, Fatma ERGUN*
* Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Turkey

# This study was a part of Fidan Pesen Özdoğan’s MSc thesis called “Evaluation of Hibiscus sabdariffa in terms of Phytotherapy”

° Corresponding Author E-mail: nsendogdu@gazi.edu.tr, nympis@gmail.com

Summary

Hibiscus genus which belongs to Malvaceae family, has more than 300 species in the world. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is grown in the South and Southeast Asian countries. In-vivo and in-vitro studies have shown that it has many biological activities. The use of the red calyx of the plant as a colorant in alcoholic beverages has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, calyx of the plant is registered in the European Pharmacopoeia with the name “Roselle”. Hibiscus sabdariffa is not a native plant in Turkey, but it is imported and sold for various purposes. The aim of this study is to compare the sample purchased from Egypt and the samples bought in the market and to determine if they conform to Hibiscus sabdariffa monograph in the European Pharmacopoeia. For this purpose, morphologic and microscopic analyses, TLC analyses, foreign matters, losses on drying, total ash quantities, colouring intensities, acid percentages in citric acid equivalent have been assigned on 8 samples brought in the market and the Egyptian sample, respectively. In addition, DPPH radical scavenging effects of the extracts and their total phenol contents were also investigated.

Key Words :
European Pharmacopeia,Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Malvaceae