Quantitative Analysis of Water-Soluble Vitamins and Phenolics in Flax and Castor Plant Mixture

This study presents the results of a comprehensive quantitative analysis of water-soluble vitamins and phenolic compounds in a 1:1 mixture of flax (Linum usitatissimum) and castor (Ricinus communis) plants. The research aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition of this blend and assess its potential for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), utilizing the LC-40 Nexera Lite system, was employed as the primary analytical technique. Standard solutions of individual vitamins and flavonoids served as reference materials for the identification and quantification of target bioactive compounds. The chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of water-soluble vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B9 (folic acid), and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in appreciable concentrations. Conversely, vitamins B6, B12, and PP (nicotinamide) were not detected under the experimental conditions. The study also identified several key phenolic compounds, including gallic acid, rutin, salicylic acid, quercetin, and apigenin, while kaempferol was absent in the sample. The results highlight the notable antioxidant potential of the flax–castor mixture, owing to its richness in polyphenols and essential micronutrients. This composition suggests that the plant mixture could be considered a valuable natural source of health-promoting compounds with possible preventive and therapeutic effects. These findings lay the groundwork for further biomedical, pharmacological, and functional food studies, offering scientific evidence for the potential integration of these botanicals into formulations aimed at improving human health and well-being. The study contributes to the growing body of literature supporting the use of plant-based materials in evidence-based product development.