High-performance thin-layer chromatographic analysis for the simultaneous quantification of gallic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, and quercetin in the methanolic fraction of<i>Limonia acidissima</i>L. fruits

Abstract

A high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of gallic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, and quercetin in methanolic fractions of Limonia acidissima L. fruits was developed for the first time for this species. Methanol was found to be the best for the highest possible recovery of the target analytes. For achieving good separation, a mobile phase of toluene–ethyl acetate–formic acid (5:4:1 v/v) was used. The densitometric determination was carried out at 310 and 254 nm in reflection–absorption mode. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 100–600 ng per spot for gallic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, and quercetin. The methanolic fractions of L. acidissima L. fruits showed the presence of gallic acid (0.07%), vanillic acid (0.16%), protocatechuic acid (0.06%), and quercetin (0.14%). The proposed method is simple, precise, specific, and accurate. The statistical analysis of the data obtained proves that the method is reproducible and selective and can be used for the routine analysis of the reported phenolic compounds in crude drug and extracts. The simultaneous quantification of these compounds has not been reported yet in L. acidissima L., which may be utilized for the proper standardization of the drug.