Hibiscus sabdariffa
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644020a1cc75e982920694 |
| Scientific name | Hibiscus sabdariffa |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 695 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Across northern Nigeria and broader West Africa, roselle calyces are simmered in water as a cooling decoction taken for fever, flu-like chills, and indigestion, and they are also infused cold as the popular refreshing drink bissap. In Senegal, Diallo et al. (2012) recorded the hot-water “kossam” and cold “bissap” drinks prepared from roselle calyces for fever and cough; the drink is sweetened and served daily. In Egypt and the Levant, the calyces are simmered for a ruby-red “karkade” tea taken for colds, fever, and as a mild diuretic, noted by Farag et al. (2007). In Mexico and Central America, the same calyces are steeped and sweetened to make aguas frescas known as agua de jamaica; Torres & Kisling (2015) describe its use for digestive upset and febrile conditions. In the Jamaican diaspora, the beverage—commonly called roselle or sorrel—is taken warm or cold for soothing colds and coughs, with sweetened decoctions used as home remedies, a pattern widely recognized by Caribbean cooks and herbalists (Picking et al., 2013).
Practical preparation: start with 4 grams of dried roselle calyces and 200 milliliters of water. Bring the water to a boil, pour over the calyces, and let steep 8–12 minutes, then strain; add sugar or honey to taste. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. For a cold infusion used in West Africa, use the same calyces and cold water, steep 6–8 hours, and strain; this bissap-style drink is enjoyed chilled. Safety note: do not exceed 3–4 cups per day. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid roselle beverages due to limited safety data. People on blood-pressure medications or diuretics should use caution, as roselle can lower blood pressure and increase urination.
Chemically, roselle calyces contain anthocyanins such as delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside, along with flavonol glycosides including quercetin and kaempferol derivatives; they are rich in phenolic acids, especially hydroxycitric acid, and modest vitamin C, giving the infusions their characteristic color and astringency (Farag et al., 2007). These constituents explain the bitter, cooling, and diuretic qualities noted in tradition.
Modern relevance: a growing body of clinical work indicates that roselle calyces lower blood pressure and improve lipid profiles (McKay et al., 2009; McKay & Blumberg, 2010), while the drinks remain widely available as commercial teas and syrups, and bissap/karkade continue as everyday home remedies in West Africa and the Middle East.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!is cultivated primarily for the fleshy, deep-red calyces that surround its fruit. These calyces yield acid-rich juices, extracts, and preparations used as natural acidulants and colorants in beverages and foods. The plant’s mature stems provide bast fibers used for coarse textiles, sacking, and paper-grade pulp.
Common products:
- Dried roselle calyces: used in beverage base concentrates, syrups, and food ingredient blends. Products include color extracts and acidulant blends for beverage production and confectionery (e.g., candy glazes and panning).
-Roselle juice concentrates (often standardized to an acidity target expressed as hibiscus acid) used by beverage manufacturers and food processors.
-Roselle fiber (from mature stems): used for twine, sackcloth, and bagging; occasionally blended in coarse fabrics and craft textiles.
Industrial and craft applications:
-Bast-fiber processing yields rope, twine, burlap, and coarse fabrics; fiber is also pulped for craft paper and, in some contexts, for paper-grade pulp.
-Roselle extracts function as natural dyes for food coloring, generally in the class of anthocyanin-based colorants.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
-Dried calyces and juice concentrates are incorporated as flavoring and coloring ingredients in soft drinks, syrups, and confections (e.g., candy glazes, jellies, and desserts). Use is typically as an acidulant and color rather than as a health product.
Colorants and tanning:
-Red anthocyanin pigments (e.g., cyanidin-3-sambubioside) provide natural color suitable for food applications; dosage and pH stability determine shade. The plant is not a tannin-rich species and is not documented for commercial tanning uses.
Wood and fiber:
-The stems provide bast fiber used in rope, twine, and bagging; fiber characteristics (length, strength, coarseness) are appropriate for durable but not fine textile applications. Wood is not a commercial product.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
-Roselle extracts may be used in fragrance compositions and colorants in cosmetics when formulated within established safety limits.
Properties relevant to use:
-Acidulant action is attributed to hibiscus acid (a hydroxy acid); the calyces contain anthocyanins conferring a red color that is pH sensitive.
-Fiber properties include adequate tensile strength for coarse applications; cooking behaviors suitable for paper pulp when lignin content and cooking conditions are appropriate.
Standards and regulation:
-Food-grade use follows national food additive and labeling rules (e.g., USDA/FDA or EU Novel Food/Additives regulations) and associated specification standards for natural food colors. Cosmetics/fragrance use must comply with International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards and national cosmetic regulations.
-Where used as a food colorant, ingredient identity and any specification limits (e.g., color concentration or acidity) are established by relevant national food standards.
Sustainability and sourcing:
-Roselle is cultivated as an annual in warm climates, with calyces hand-harvested and stems available after harvest. Fiber utilization can contribute to diversified farm income and reduced waste. Certification and sustainability programs are typically those common to vegetable oil/fiber crops in producing regions.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Sabdariffa rubra | Kostel. | Allg. Med.-Pharm. Fl. 5: 1857 (1836) |
| Sabdariffa digitata | Kostel. | Allg. Med.-Pharm. Fl. 5: 1857 (1836) |
| Abelmoschus cruentus | Walp. | Repert. Bot. Syst. 1: 310 (1842) |
| Furcaria sabdariffa | Ulbr. | Veg. Erde 9(III 2): 402 (1921) |
| Hibiscus cruentus | Bertol. | Fl. Guatimal. : 28 (1840) |
| Hibiscus digitatus | Cav. | Diss. 3: 151 (1787) |
| Hibiscus fraternus | L. | Pl. Surin. : 90 (1775) |
| Hibiscus gossypiifolius | Mill. | Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 10 (1768) |
| Hibiscus masuianus | De Wild. & T.Durand | Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique , Compt. Rend. 38: 20 (1899) |
| Hibiscus sanguineus | Griff. | Not. Pl. Asiat. 4: 520 (1854) |
| Hibiscus palmatilobus | Baill. | Bull. Mens. Soc. Linn. Paris 1: 509 (1885) |
| Hibiscus digitatus var. kerrianus | DC. | Prodr. 1: 453 (1824) |
| Hibiscus acetosus | Noronha | Verh. Batav. Genootsch. Kunst. 5(Art. 4): 17. 1790 |
| Hibiscus subdariffa | Rottler | Acta Lit. Univ. Hafn. 1: 297, sphalm. 1778 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | roselle |
| Spanish | rosa de jamaica |
| Spanish | rosa de abisinia |
| Spanish | flor de jamaica |
| Spanish | jamaica |
| anp | roselle (plant) |
| Arabic | كركديه |
| Arabic | الكركديه |
| Assamese | টেঙামৰা |
| Azerbaijani | məkkə çayı |
| Azerbaijani | rozella |
| Azerbaijani | məkkə teli |
| azb | مکَه چایی |
| Bengali | চুকুর |
| Bengali | টক ফল |
| Bengali | মেস্তা |
| Bengali | চুকাই |
| Catalan | cànem de guinea |
| Catalan | rosa de jamaica |
| Czech | ibišek súdánský |
| dag | birili |
| German | roselle |
| German | sudan-eibisch |
| German | sabdariff-eibisch |
| German | karkade |
| German | bissap |
| German | afrikanische malve |
| Esperanto | sabdarifo |
| Estonian | hapu hibisk |
| Persian | روزل |
| Finnish | teehibiskus |
| French | oseille de guinée |
| French | ketmie acide |
| French | karkadé |
| French | carcadé |
| French | carcade |
| French | roselle |
| French | bissap |
| Gujarati | અંબાડી |
| Hausa | zobo |
| Hebrew | היביסקוס עב-גביע |
| Hungarian | rozella |
| Indonesian | rosella |
| Indonesian | rosela |
| Italian | carcadè |
| Italian | karkadè |
| Japanese | ローゼル |
| jv | rosela |
| Korean | 로젤 |
| ln | ngai ngai |
| Lithuanian | jamaikinė kinrožė |
| Malayalam | roselle |
| Malayalam | മത്തിപ്പുളി |
| Malayalam | പുളിവെണ്ട |
| Malayalam | മീൻപുളി |
| mnw | လဂဝ် |
| Marathi | अंबाडी |
| Malay | asam belanda |
| Malay | roselle |
| Malay | asam susur |
| Burmese | ချဉ်ပေါင် |
| Nepali | बेलचन्दन |
| Dutch | roselle |
| os | Розеллæ (зайæгой) |
| Polish | ketmia szczawiowa |
| Portuguese | caruru-azedo |
| Portuguese | vinagreira |
| pwn | yuzilu |
| Russian | Красный щавель |
| Russian | Гибискус сабдарифа |
| Russian | Гибискус сабдариффа |
| Russian | Розелла |
| Russian | Ямайский щавель |
| Russian | Суданская роза |
| sd | کٽنبڙو |
| Sango | dongö |
| su | rosella |
| Swedish | rosellhibiskus |
| Telugu | గోంగూర |
| Thai | กระเจี๊ยบแดง |
| Thai | กระเจี๊ยบเปรี้ยว |
| Turkish | hibisküs |
| Turkish | karabamya |
| Turkish | kerkede |
| Chinese | 扶桑叶 |
| Chinese | 洛神花 |
| Chinese | 洛神果 |
| Chinese | 山茄子 |
| Chinese | 玫瑰茄 |
| Chinese | 洛神葵 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
| Requires Scarification: Scarification involves physically breaking, scratching, or softening the seed coat to allow water absorption and germination to occur. This can be done by nicking the seed coat with a knife or rubbing the seeds between sheets of sandpaper. |
| Requires Soaking: These seeds need to be soaked in warm water until they swell, which can take 24-48 hours. Seeds that float are usually not viable and should be discarded, along with the soaking water. |
| Sow seeds immediately as their viability decreases rapidly, or they best germinate when fresh. If stored, seeds might need temperature cycling and patience to germinate. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Tanzania
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Somalia
- Sudan
-
Northern Africa
- Egypt
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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Southern Africa
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
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West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Burkina
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Congo
- Gabon
- Gulf Of Guinea Islands
- Zaïre
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Western Indian Ocean
- Comoros
- Mauritius
- Réunion
-
East Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
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China
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
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Eastern Asia
- Taiwan
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Western Asia
- Iraq
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
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Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Papuasia
- Solomon Islands
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Indian Subcontinent
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southeast
- Mexico Southwest
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Mexico
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Pacific click to expand
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Northwestern Pacific
- Caroline Islands
- Marianas
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Southwestern Pacific
- Fiji
- Vanuatu
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Northwestern Pacific
-
Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil Southeast
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Caribbean
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Southwest Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Windward Islands
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Central America
- Belize
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
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Northern South America
- Venezuela
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Western South America
- Colombia
- Peru
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000723020 |
| UNII | UH3Z91Y49Y |
| USDA Plants | HISA2 |
| Tropicos | 19600047 |
| INPN | 629855 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:326388-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-2850461 |
| Plantarium | 18729 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 120930 |
| Observations.org | 142124 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 183260 |
| Nature Serve | 2.155606 |
| IPNI | 326388-2 |
| iNaturalist | 163773 |
| GBIF | 3152582 |
| Freebase | /m/05pyzn |
| EPPO | HIBSA |
| EOL | 487306 |
| US Library of Congress | sh85115429 |
| USDA GRIN | 19078 |
| Wikipedia | Roselle_(plant) |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_038485145.1 | ASM3848514v1 | Contig | KAIST | 2024-04-25 | 1.41 | 2.20 Gb |
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives | |||||
| Protocatechuic Acid | 72 | Click to see | 154.12 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3835(98)00010-X https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2797(96)03721-0 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-2952(00)00322-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Eicosanoic Acid | 10467 | Click to see | 312.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 |
| Myristic Acid | 11005 | Click to see | 228.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 |
| Oleic Acid | 445639 | Click to see | 282.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 |
| Palmitic Acid | 985 | Click to see | 256.42 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 |
| Stearic Acid | 5281 | Click to see | 284.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Medium-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Lauric Acid | 3893 | Click to see | 200.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Linoleic Acid | 5280450 | Click to see CCCCCC=CCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 280.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Gossypol | 3503 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C(C(=C2C(C)C)O)O)C=O)C(=C1C3=C(C4=C(C=C3C)C(=C(C(=C4C=O)O)O)C(C)C)O)O | 518.60 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 https://doi.org/10.21608/BFSA.1998.67837 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cholestane steroids / Cholesterols and derivatives | |||||
| (3S,8S,9R,10R,13S,14S,17S)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 162906455 | Click to see CC(C)CCCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C | 386.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| Cholest-5-en-3-ol | 304 | Click to see | 386.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives | |||||
| (24R)-5-Ergosten-3beta-ol | 312822 | Click to see | 400.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| (3S,8S,9R,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-[(2R,5R)-5,6-dimethylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 163015450 | Click to see | 400.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| (3S,9R,10S,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(E,2S,5R)-5,6-dimethylhept-3-en-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 163000932 | Click to see | 396.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| 17-(5,6-Dimethylhept-3-En-2-Yl)-10,13-Dimethyl-2,3,4,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-Decahydro-1H-Cyclopenta(A)Phenanthren-3-Ol | 247705 | Click to see | 396.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (3R,5S,9S,10R,13S,14R,17S)-17-[(E,2S,5S)-5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 162958784 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| (3R,8R,9R,10S,13R,14R,17S)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 162965363 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| (3S,8S,9R,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-[(E,2S,5S)-5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 163081991 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 521229 | Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2=CCC4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 122544 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1097275 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tricarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methoxycarbonyl-5-oxooxolane-2-carboxylic acid | 9930500 | Click to see COC(=O)C1(CC(=O)OC1C(=O)O)O | 204.13 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.64.1041 |
| 3-Hydroxy-3-methoxycarbonyl-5-oxooxolane-2-carboxylic acid | 85069821 | Click to see | 204.13 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.64.1041 |
| allo-Hydroxycitric acid lactone | 6481826 | Click to see | 190.11 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.64.1041 |
| Hydroxycitric acid lactone, (-)-(P) | 9859390 | Click to see C1C(=O)OC(C1(C(=O)O)O)C(=O)O | 190.11 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.64.1041 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| Amylodextrin | 439341 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00123A022 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Gossypetin | 5280647 | Click to see | 318.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/CT9099501855 |
| Hibiscetin | 15559735 | Click to see | 334.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1039/CT9099501855 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03051846 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,8-trihydroxy-7-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 12310325 | Click to see | 480.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03170544 |
| Gossypitrin | 6452123 | Click to see | 480.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03170544 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |