Ontogenetic changes in phenolic contents and volatile composition of Hypericum androsaemum and Hypericum xylosteifolium

We described the ontogenetic changes in phenolic contents and volatile composition of Hypericum androsaemum L. and Hypericum xylosteifolium (Spach) N. Robson from Turkish flora for the first time. 30 randomly selected plants were gathered in each of six phenological stages for H. androsaemum (vegetative, floral budding, full flowering, green capsule, red capsule and black capsule) and each of seven phenological stages for H. xylosteifolium (vegetative, floral budding, %10 flowering, %50 flowering, full flowering, green capsule and brown capsule). After dried at room temperature, the plant materials were assayed for phenolic and volatile ingredients by detailed chemical analyses. The accumulations of several phenolics followed a consistent manner but, hyperforin, quercetin, rutin, 2,4 dihydroxybenzoic acid, quercitrin, hyperoside, biapigenin, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin were accumulated at higher levels during floral development depending on species. Germacrene B (31.50%), α-zingiberene (22.75%), α-curcumene (15.21%) β-caryophyllene (14.34%) and naphtalene (11.87%) in H. androsaemum and daucol (23.36%), naphtalene (14.17%) and aromadendrene (10.36%) in H. xylosteifolium were recorded as major volatile components depending on phenophases. Floral budding and flowering phases were characterized by higher accumulation levels of majority of phenolic and volatile compounds in both species indicating these phases as the appropriate harvesting times. These findings can guide the suppliers of Hyperici herba to obtain the raw material that have the highest content of desirable compounds and the most suited chemical composition to the demands of relevant industries. As a remarkable conclusion of this work, H. androsaemum and, especially, H. xylosteifolium can be introduced as new sources of bioactive secondary metabolites. • We provide first phenophase-dependent chemical profiles of H. androsaemum and H. xylosteifolium . • We also describe essential oil composition of H. xylosteifolium for the first time. • Content of tested phenolics varied greatly with ontogeny. • Ontogeny also changed essential oil composition significantly. • Floral phases were characterized by higher levels of chemical accumulation.