HPLC determination of chicoric acid in leaves of Posidonia oceanica

Abstract In this study, Posidonia oceanica. (L.) Delile (Posidoniaceae), which is a widely distributed phanerogam in Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, was investigated for the phenolic compounds that have the potential to be used in pharmaceutical sciences. The leaves, separated as young and mature leaves, were extracted and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromotagraphy (HPLC). The younger leaves were found to have higher concentrations of chicoric acid, p.-coumaric acid, vanillin, and ferulic acid, and the amount of gentisic acid, caffeic acid, and cinnamic acid was found to be higher in the mature leaves. Consequently, the plant might be a source of compounds to be investigated for anti-HIV and immunostimulant (caffeic acid, chicoric acid), antitumor (cinnamic acid, ferulic acid), antioxidant, and antibacterial activities.