Difference Between Quercetin and Quercetin Dihydrate

The key difference between quercetin and quercetin dihydrate is that quercetin is a plant flavonoid, whereas quercetin dihydrate is a synthetic chemical compound.

Both quercetin and quercetin dihydrate are important ingredients in quercetin supplements which are important as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and allergy symptom-relieving agents.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Quercetin
3. What is Quercetin Dihydrate
4. Similarities – Quercetin and Quercetin Dihydrate
5. Quercetin vs Quercetin Dihydrate in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Quercetin vs Quercetin Dihydrate

What is Quercetin?

Quercetin is a flavonol that we can find in plants, and it belongs to the flavonoid group of polyphenols. We can find this flavonol in many fruits, vegetables, leaves, seeds, and grains. For example, capers, radish leaves, red onion and kale are the most common food sources consisting of an appreciable amount of quercetin. This substance has a bitter flavour and is useful in dietary supplements, beverages, and food as an ingredient.

Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Quercetin

The chemical formula for quercetin is C₁₅H₁₀O₇. Therefore, we can calculate the molar mass of this compound as 302.23 g/mol. It usually occurs as a yellow crystalline powder. Practically, this powder is insoluble in water. But it is soluble in alkaline solutions.

Amount of Quercetin in Foods

When considering the amount of quercetin in different food items, we can highlight the following foods with their amounts.

Food	Amount of quercetin (mg per 100g of the food)
Raw capers	234
Canned capers	173
Radish leaves	70
Red onion	32
kale	23
Cranberry	15
Black plums	12

In the biosynthesis of quercetin in plants, the first step is the conversion of phenylalanine into 4-coumaroyl-CoA through a series of steps. Thereafter, one molecule of 4-coumaroyl-CoA is added to three molecules of malonyl-CoA, forming tetrahydroxychalcone through the use of enzymes. This resulting compound then converts into naringerin in the presence of chalcone isomerase. Naringerin converts into eriodictyol which is then converted into dihydroquercetin in the presence of flavonoid 3’-hydroxylase. Finally, this resulting substance converts into quercetin in the presence of flavanol synthase.

What is Quercetin Dihydrate?

Quercetin dihydrate is a chemical compound having the chemical formula C₁₅H₁₄O₉. This substance is commonly found in quercetin supplements. It has the highest bioavailability among other ingredients. This substance also assures a better absorption of the supplement. However, it costs more than other supplement forms due to this quality of high absorption. Additionally, we can also buy pure quercetin dihydrate powder as desired. The powdered forms are suitable if we prefer drinking a smoothie over swallowing pills or in order to avoid the digestion of the cellulose capsule material. The powdered form of quercetin dihydrate appears in a bright yellow colour.

Quercetin dihydrate acts as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory drug, and as an allergy symptom reliever. Moreover, this type of supplements can support cardiovascular health by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress.

However, as for any other chemical substance, quercetin dihydrate may have side effects, including headaches, tingling in arms and legs, and higher doses can cause kidney damage.

What are the Similarities Between Quercetin and Quercetin Dihydrate?

Quercetin and Quercetin Dihydrate are organic compounds.
Both are flavonoids.
They are ingredients in quercetin supplements.

What is the Difference Between Quercetin and Quercetin Dihydrate?

The key difference between quercetin and quercetin dihydrate is that quercetin is a plant flavonoid, whereas quercetin dihydrate is a synthetic chemical compound. Moreover, quercetin is a yellow crystalline powder, whereas quercetin dihydrate is a bright yellow colour powder.

The following infographic presents the difference between quercetin and quercetin dihydrate in tabular form.

Summary – Quercetin vs Quercetin Dihydrate

Both quercetin and quercetin dihydrate are important ingredients in quercetin supplements which are important as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and allergy symptom-relieving agents. The key difference between quercetin and quercetin dihydrate is that quercetin is a plant flavonoid, whereas quercetin dihydrate is a synthetic chemical compound.