Development and Validation of a Simple, Sensitive Fluorescent Method for Eurycomanone Quantification in Tongkat Ali...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) is a medicinal herb with traditional aphrodisiac uses.
• Eurycomanone is the primary bioactive quassinoid responsible for its properties.
• Accurate quantification of eurycomanone is crucial for quality control and research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, cost-effective, and sensitive fluorescent detection method for eurycomanone.
• To optimize sensing conditions using experimental design.
• To validate the method for analyzing real Tongkat Ali samples.

Main Methods:

• Utilized nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) as a fluorescent probe.
• Employed UV-vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry for spectral analysis.
• Applied Stern-Volmer and thermodynamic studies to elucidate the sensing mechanism (static quenching).
• Optimized parameters (pH, incubation time, probe concentration) using Box-Behnken design.
• Validated the method according to ICH guidelines.

Main Results:

• A significant reduced quadratic model identified pH and N-CQDs concentration as key factors.
• The method demonstrated excellent linearity (0.25-6.0 μg/mL), high sensitivity (LOD 0.067 μg/mL), and accuracy (RSD < 1.5%).
• Successful application to real Tongkat Ali samples confirmed practical utility.
• Results showed good agreement with chromatographic methods.

Conclusions:

• The developed N-CQDs-based fluorescent method provides a sensitive, accurate, and cost-effective approach for eurycomanone detection.
• This technique is a promising alternative to conventional analytical methods for herbal analysis.
• The study highlights the potential of N-CQDs in developing rapid and efficient analytical tools for bioactive compounds.