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 d erivatives of the benzo[b]pyran-4-one - flavonoids - chrysin, tectochrysin and galangin, and with the effect of minor changes in their chemical struct ure on their separation using GC/MS. In the relation to their close chemica l structure, their basic polarographic parameters were also investigated. T heir potential carcinogenicity index tg alpha was determined by DC polarogr aphy 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 i nvestigated flavonoids in human.