Determination of phenolic acids by a modified HPLC: Its application to various plant materials

Abstract

The determination of certain phenolic acids employing a gradient HPLC method is described, in this study. The analysis was performed by using a gradient program with the two solvents system (A: methanol:water:formic acid (10:88:2 v/v); B: methanol: water: formic acid (90:8:2 v/v)). The flow rate of 1 mL (.) min(-1), injection volume of 10 mL was used and signals were detected at 280 nm. Propylparaben was a suitable compound as an internal standard for this system. The method was validated and highly repeatable (between RSD values of 0.35-1.65) and linear results were obtained. The LOD and LOQ values of the phenolic acids are in the range of (2.58 x 10(-6) 29.69 x 10(-6) M) and (7.83 x 10(-6) - 22.93 x 10(-5) M), respectively. The applicability of the method was tested by using some plant source materials, and the phenolic acid contents were successfully determined via well-defined peaks. Therefore, the progressed method is suggested for the quantification of phenolic acids in food industry and laboratories.