Flavonoids

Flavonoids are the most abundant polyphenols in human

diet. Like other phytochemicals, they are the products of
secondary metabolism of plants.
In fruits and vegetables, they are usually found in the form of
glycosides and sometimes as acylglycosides, while acylated,
methylated and sulfate molecules are less frequent and in
lower concentrations. They are water-soluble and accumulate
in cell vacuoles.
Flavonoids are the most important plant pigments for flower
coloration, producing yellow or red/blue pigmentation in
petals designed to attract pollinator animals. In higher plants,
flavonoids are involved in UV filtration, symbiotic nitrogen
fixation and floral pigmentation. They may also act as
chemical messengers, physiological regulators, and cell cycle
inhibitors.
 3' 3'
2' 4'
Base Structure 2' 4' Flavone
1 B 8 1 B
8 1' 1'
O 5' O 5'
7 7
2 6' 2 6'
A C A C
6 6 3
3

5 4 5

Basic structure -diphenylpropane, (ring A and B) linked by a three 3' 3'

2' 4'
Flavanonol
2' 4' Flavonol
carbon chain that forms a closed
O
pyran
8
B ring with benzenic A ring.
1
O
B
1'
In 5'
8 1
1'
5'
7 7
2 6'

most cases, B ring is attached to position 2 of C ring, but it can also

2 6'
A C A C
6 6
OH OH
5
bind in position 3 or 4; this, together with the structural features of
5 4

the ring B and the patterns of glycosylation and hydroxylation of the 3'
2' 4'
Flavanone Isoflavone
three rings, makes the flavonoids
O
one
B8 of the larger
1
O
and more 1'
5'
8 1

7 7
2 6' 2

diversified groups of phytochemicals. They are potent antioxidants,

6
A C
3
6
A C
1'
3'
4'
5 5

depend both on the structuralO characteristics and the

O pattern
B
of 2' 5'

6'

glycosylation.
 Flavone Flavonol

Flavanone Flavanonol Flavan

Flavanol
Anthocyanidins are the aglycones of anthocyanins; they use the
flavylium ion skeleton, eg. Cyanidin. Chemically, anthocyanidins
are flavylium cations and are generally present as chloride salts.
They are the only group of flavonoids that gives plants colors (all
other flavonoids are colorless). Anthocyanins are glycosides of
anthocyanidins. Sugar units are bound mostly to position 3 of the
C ring and they are often conjugated with phenolic acids, such as
ferulic acid. The color of the anthocyanins depends on the pH and
also by methylation or acylation at the hydroxyl groups on the A
and B rings.
Cyanidin is a natural organic compound. It
is a particular type of anthocyanidin
(glycoside version called anthocyanins).
It is a pigment found in many red berries
including grapes
Isoflavan
Isoflavone

Chalcone is an aromatic ketone and an enone that forms the

central core for a variety of important biological
compounds, which are known collectively as chalcones or
chalconoids. Chalcones and dihydrochalcones are flavonoids
with open structure; they are classified as flavonoids
because they have similar synthetic pathways.
Cyanidin is a natural organic compound. It
is a particular type of anthocyanidin
(glycoside version called anthocyanins).
It is a pigment found in many red berries
including grapes
Kaempferol found in a variety of plants and plant-derived
foods. Kaempferol is a yellow crystalline solid with a
melting point of 276278 C Kaempferol acts as an
antioxidant by reducing oxidative stress.

Quercetin is one of the most abundant dietary

flavonoids, red onion contains 32mg/100g