High-performance liquid chromatographic separation and identification of phenolic compounds from leaves of Betula pubescens and Betula pendula

The following major phenolics with non-flavonoid structure were identified from leaves of Betula pubescens (white birch) and Betula pendula (silver birch): 1-O-galloyl-beta-d-(2-O-acetyl)-glucopyranose, 1-(4 ''-hydroxyphenyl)-3'-oxopropyl-beta-d-glucopyranose, gallic, chlorogenic, neo-chlorogenic, cis- and trans-forms of 3- and 5-p-coumaroylquinic acids. Chromatographic (analytical and preparative HPLC), chemical (hydrolysis) and spectroscopic (UV,H-1 and C-13 NMR, MS) techniques were applied for separation, isolation, purification and identification of these phenolics. Moreover, 33 low-molecular-mass phenolics were detected and quantitated and their occurrence was compared in leaves of white and silver birches.