Record Information
Version1.0
Creation date2015-10-09 22:32:29 UTC
Update date2017-01-19 02:36:35 UTC
FoodComEx IDPC000751
FoodDB RecordFDB011904
Chemical Information
NameQuercetin
DescriptionQuercetin, also known as sophoretin or xanthaurine, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as flavonols. Flavonols are compounds that contain a flavone (2-phenyl-1-benzopyran-4-one) backbone carrying a hydroxyl group at the 3-position. Quercetin is an antioxidant, like many other phenolic heterocyclic compounds. Quercetin is a very hydrophobic molecule, practically insoluble in water, and relatively neutral. Quercetin is a widely distributed flavonoid found in many plants and fruits including red grapes, citrus fruit, tomatoes, broccoli, red onions, kale, various leafy green vegetables, and a number of berries, including raspberries and cranberries. In plants quercetin functions as a naturally occurring polar auxin transport inhibitor (PMID: 12237347). Quercetin has a bitter flavor and is used as an ingredient in dietary supplements, beverages, and foods. Quercetin itself (the aglycone), as opposed to quercetin glycosides, is not a normal dietary component. Quercitin glycosides are converted to phenolic acids as they pass through the gastrointestinal tract. In the human body quercetin functions as a non-specific protein kinase enzyme inhibitor (PMID: 15019969). It also acts as a phytoestrogen and has been reported to have estrogenic activities by activating both estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) and estrogen beta (ER beta) (PMID: 17724002). In human breast cancer cell lines, quercetin has been found to act as an agonist of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) (PMID: 15090535). Despite these many known interactions with human proteins, quercetin has not been confirmed scientifically as a specific therapeutic for any condition nor been approved by any regulatory agency. In particular, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any health claims for quercetin. Nevertheless, there is a clear inverse correlation between dietary consumption of flavonols and flavones and reduced incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease and cancer. In recent years, a large amount of experimental and some clinical data have accumulated regarding the effects of flavonoids on the endothelium under physiological and pathological conditions. The meta-analysis of seven prospective cohort studies concluded that the individuals in the top third of dietary flavonol intake are associated with a reduced risk of mortality from coronary heart disease as compared with those in the bottom third, after adjustment for known risk factors and other dietary components. A limited number of intervention studies with flavonoids and flavonoid containing foods and extracts has been performed in several pathological conditions. (PMID: 17015250).
CAS Number117-39-5
Structure
Thumb
Synonyms
SynonymSource
2-(3,4-Dihydroxy-phenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-chromen-4-oneHMDB
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-oneChEBI
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 9CIdb_source
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-onebiospider
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxychromen-4-onebiospider
3,3',4,5,7-Pentahydroxyflavonebiospider
3,3',4',5,7-Pentahydroxyflavonebiospider
3,4',5,5',7-Pentahydroxy-flavoneHMDB
3,5,7-Trihydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-onHMDB
3,5,7-Trihydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-onebiospider
3,5,7,3',4'-Pentahydroxyflavonebiospider
3',4',5,7-Tetrahydroxyflavan-3-olHMDB
3',4',5,7-Tetrahydroxyflavon-3-olbiospider
3',4',5,7-Tetrahydroxyflavonoldb_source
Flavin meletinHMDB
Flavone, 3,4',5,5',7-pentahydroxy-biospider
Meletindb_source
Quercetindb_source
Quercetin dihydrateHMDB
Quercetinebiospider
Quercetoldb_source
Quercitinbiospider
Quertindb_source
Quertinebiospider
Sophoretindb_source
Xanthaurinebiospider
Chemical FormulaC15H10O7
IUPAC name2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/C15H10O7/c16-7-4-10(19)12-11(5-7)22-15(14(21)13(12)20)6-1-2-8(17)9(18)3-6/h1-5,16-19,21H
InChI KeyREFJWTPEDVJJIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Isomeric SMILESOC1=CC2=C(C(O)=C1)C(=O)C(O)=C(O2)C1=CC=C(O)C(O)=C1
Average Molecular Weight302.2357
Monoisotopic Molecular Weight302.042652674
Chemical Taxonomy
Description Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as flavonols. Flavonols are compounds that contain a flavone (2-phenyl-1-benzopyran-4-one) backbone carrying a hydroxyl group at the 3-position.
KingdomOrganic compounds
Super ClassPhenylpropanoids and polyketides
ClassFlavonoids
Sub ClassFlavones
Direct ParentFlavonols
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • 3-hydroxyflavone
  • 3'-hydroxyflavonoid
  • 3-hydroxyflavonoid
  • 4'-hydroxyflavonoid
  • 5-hydroxyflavonoid
  • 7-hydroxyflavonoid
  • Hydroxyflavonoid
  • Chromone
  • Benzopyran
  • 1-benzopyran
  • Catechol
  • 1-hydroxy-4-unsubstituted benzenoid
  • 1-hydroxy-2-unsubstituted benzenoid
  • Phenol
  • Pyranone
  • Benzenoid
  • Monocyclic benzene moiety
  • Pyran
  • Heteroaromatic compound
  • Vinylogous acid
  • Oxacycle
  • Organoheterocyclic compound
  • Polyol
  • Organic oxide
  • Organic oxygen compound
  • Hydrocarbon derivative
  • Organooxygen compound
  • Aromatic heteropolycyclic compound
Molecular FrameworkAromatic heteropolycyclic compounds
External Descriptors
Physico-Chemical Properties - Experimental
PropertyValueReference
Experimental logPNot Available
Experimental Water Solubility0.06 mg/mL at 16 oCSEIDELL,A (1941)
Melting PointMp 313-314° dec.DFC
Foods of Origin
FoodContent Range AverageReference
FoodReference
Production Data
Production Methodcommercial
Production Method ReferenceNot Available
Production Method Reference FileNot Available
Quantity AvailableProduction upon request, up to 2 .
Delivery TimeNot Available
Storage Formsolid
Storage Conditions-80°C
StabilityNot Available
PurityNot Available
Spectra
Spectral Data Upon RequestNot Available
Provider Information
Contact NameContact InstitutionContact Email
Rosa Vazquez Fresnovazquezf@ualberta.ca
Commercial Vendors
AKSci S295
Cayman Chemical 10005169
Cayman Chemical HMDB0005794
Glentham GP9232
MetaSci HMDB0005794
Toronto Research Chemicals Q510038