HPLC quantification of dye flavonoids in Reseda luteola L. from Portugal.

A HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous identification of Reseda luteola L. (weld) flavonoids and quantification of the main compounds responsible for the yellow color. This method was applied to a large number of wild Portuguese weld to evaluate its potential application as dyestuff for textile factories, as a substitute for the synthetic dyes currently used. Portuguese weld dyestuff content ranged between 1.04 and 5.87%, corresponding to a wide variation of the flavonoids amount (1.39-9.04%). Luteolin 4'-O-glucoside was found for the first time in R. luteola, but kaempferol, isorhamnetin, and their glycosides were not detected in the Portuguese specimens.