Modern HPLC as a Tool for Chemotaxonomical Investigations: Iridoid Glucosides and Acetylated Flavonoids in the Group of Stachys recta ¹

Abstract

In the present study, modern RP-HPLC is applied for chemotaxonomical investigations of ten species of the group of Stachys recta (Labiatae) and three closely related species. Precise quantitative data of five iridoids and eight flavonoids are obtained for a total of fifty different origins. The handling of the numerous samples for analysis was facilitated by an automatic injection system. By application of diode array technology, each peak could be characterized, supplementary to its retention time, by its UV data. Except for three Yugoslavian specimens of S. recta, all investigated origins could be classified by their iridoid and flavonoid contents. The differences are mainly of a quantitative nature. The separation of S. angustifolia from the S. recta group, postulated by Koeva-Todorovska by means of pollen morphological and cytological characters, is confirmed by the presented chemotaxonomical data.