Full Paper Anodic Behaviour of Flavonoids Orientin, Eriodictyol and Robinin at a Glassy Carbon Electrode Eric de Souza Gil,a, b Adrian Teodor Enache,a Ana Maria de Oliveira-Brett*a a Departamento de Qumica, Faculdade de CiÞncias e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004–535 Coimbra, Portugal b Faculdade de Farmcia, Universidade Federal de Gois, 74605–220, Goinia, Gois, Brasil *e-mail:
[email protected] Received: April 20, 2012;& Accepted: May 31, 2012 Abstract Orientin, eriodictyol and robinin are polyphenolic compounds, and their oxidation mechanism is pH-dependent, in two steps, involving a different number of electrons and protons. Orientin and eriodictyol first oxidation occurs at a lower potential, corresponding to the reversible oxidation of the catechol group, and is followed by an irreversible oxidation on the ring-A at more positive potential. Robenin oxidation is irreversible, with the formation of electro- active products, and occurs at ring-A and ring-B. The electrochemical characterization of their redox behaviour brought useful data about their chemical stability, antioxidant and pro-oxidant activity, enabling a comprehensive understanding of their redox mechanism. Keywords: Orientin, Eriodictyol, Robinin, Oxidation, Glassy carbon electrode. DOI: 10.1002/elan.201200211 1 Introduction Orientin is a flavone, found in passion flower, bamboo leaves, aÅai pulps and wardii berries [5–7]. Chemically is Flavonoids constitute, among other compounds, an impor- the 8-C glucoside of the widespread citrus flavone, luteo- tant class of antioxidants that inhibit the oxidative degra- lin [8]. dation of organic materials including a large number of Eriodictyol, 3’,4’,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavanone, is found in biological aerobic organisms and commercial products.