Analysis of volatile components in Curcuma rhizome by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

Volatile chemicals are a group of very important compounds in natural products. Curcuma rhizome, which contains many bioactive volatile compounds, is a traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used for the treatment of several diseases. In the present study, a microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) method was developed for the analysis of four volatile components in Curcuma rhizome, including germacrone, furanodiene, curcumenol and curdione. Experimental parameters, including the pH, type and concentrations of background electrolyte, and microemulsion compositions (type and concentrations of surfactant, co-surfactant and oil phase) were intensively investigated. Finally, the primary compounds in the methanol extract of Curcuma rhizome were separated within 30 min using a running buffer composed of 2.31% w/v (80 mmol/L) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.91% w/v (80 mmol/L) 1-octane, 6.95% w/v (937.5 mmol/L) 1-butanol and 1.88% w/v (312.5 mmol/L) propanol in a 5-mM borate buffer (pH 8.1). The contents of the four investigated compounds were determined in the rhizome from C. phaeocaulis. The results showed that the developed MEEKC method provided an alternative tool for the analysis of volatile components, especially those of heat-sensitive compounds from natural products.