Separation of structurally related flavonoids by GC/MS technique and determination of their polarographic parameters and potential carcinogenicity.

The present study deals with the investigation of the naturally occurring derivatives of the benzo[b]pyran-4-one - flavonoids - chrysin, tectochrysin and galangin, and with the effect of minor changes in their chemical structure on their separation using GC/MS. In the relation to their close chemical structure, their basic polarographic parameters were also investigated. Their potential carcinogenicity index tg alpha was determined by DC polarography experiments in the presence of alpha-lipoic acid. The tg alpha values for chrysin, tectochrysin and galangin were all under 0.180. This indicates a very minor carcinogenic potential that does not prevent the use of the investigated flavonoids in human.