Natural Resources Containing Arbutin. Determination of Arbutin in the Leaves of Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch. acclimated in Romania

Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch. is cited in literature as being one of the richest in arbutin (15-20%), an important pharmaceutical substance with disinfecting properties (in genitourinary diseases) and also depigmentation properties (skin whitening agent). The aim of this study consisted in determination of arbutin content in leaves of Bergenia crassifolia acclimated in Romania. The optimum parameters for the extraction of arbutin and the dynamics of the accumulation of arbutin in Bergenia crassifolia leaves during the four seasons were also studied. The content of arbutin varied between 17.44% and 22.59% dry weight, values which are similar to those found in literature