A simple HPLC method for quantitation of quercetin in herbal extracts

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Pharmacognosy
• Phytochemistry

Background:

• Quercetin, a prevalent flavonoid, possesses significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Accurate quantification of quercetin in botanical matrices is crucial for pharmacological and nutraceutical applications.
• Existing analytical methods may lack the sensitivity, specificity, or efficiency required for diverse plant extracts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a robust reversed-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method for quercetin determination.
• To assess the accuracy, precision, and linearity of the developed HPLC method.
• To apply the validated method for quantifying quercetin in various plant extracts.

Main Methods:

• Reversed-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) with Ultraviolet (UV) detection.
• Method validation including linearity, accuracy (recovery studies), and precision (intra- and interday variation).
• Quantification of quercetin in extracts of Psidium guajava, Vitis vinifera, and other flavonoid-rich sources.

Main Results:

• The developed HPLC method exhibited a linear response across a broad concentration range.
• Average accuracy was determined to be 95%, with high precision (intra- and interday variation of 0.75% and 0.3%, respectively).
• Recovery rates ranged from 95% to 105%, confirming method exactness and reliability.

Conclusions:

• The validated RP-HPLC method provides an accurate, precise, and reliable means for quercetin quantification.
• This analytical approach is suitable for determining quercetin content in diverse botanical extracts.
• The method supports quality control and research involving quercetin-rich natural products.