Determination of punicalagin isomers in pomegranate husk

Punicalagins are the main ingredients of phenolic compounds in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) husk. A simple and accurate method for punicalagin analysis based on ethanol extraction and RP-LC using linear gradient of methanol in 0.1% TFA solution was established. The feasibility of this procedure was tested by analyzing the punicalagin level both in fresh pomegranate husk collected from different provinces in China and dried husk from a drugstore. The content of each isomer and total content of punicalagins in husk were determined. The mean value of punicalagins content in pomegranate husk was 82.4 mg g(-1). The highest content of punicalagins was found in a variety of husks from Shanxi province, while the lowest content was found in the husk from the drugstore in Guangdong province.