Luteolin and apigenin, extracted from Reseda luteola L., were spectrophotometrically and fluorimetrically studied. The spectra were investigated as a function of pH in methanol/water solutions (1/2, v/v) in the 2-12 pH range. The absorption spectra markedly shifted to the red by increasing the pH. Three acid-base dissociation steps were detected for luteolin (pK (a) = 6.9; 8.6; 10.3) and two for apigenin (pK (a) = 6.6; 9.3). Fluorescence emission was very weak or undetectable (Phi (F) < 10(-4)) in acidic solution, but increased in intensity with increasing the pH. Both molecules exhibited a great propensity towards complex formation with metal ions, with association constants on the order of 10(5)-10(7) for the first complexation step; in the presence of excess Al(3+) ions, multiple equilibria were detected. A marked fluorescence enhancement was observed upon complexation with Al(3+) ions (Phi (F) approximately 1 for luteolin and approximately 10(-2) for apigenin).