High-Performance Liquid Chromatography - Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) Method for the Determination of Phenolic Compounds of Water Chesnut (Trapa natans L.)

Trapa natans L., also known as water chestnut, is a medicinal plant that contains a high quantity of phenolic compounds. Traditionally the plant has been used for several important medicinal purposes. The goal of the present study is to validate a HPLC method to quantify phenolic compounds from the roots, leaves, kernel, and shell fruit of Trapa natans L. A high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detection method has been developed for the simultaneous separation and identification of seven phenolic compounds. Rapid HPLC separation was achieved using a C18 column with a mobile phase gradient of 0.1% acetic acid and acetonitrile. The method was validated for linearity, specificity, precision, and accuracy. The developed method was suitable to quantify seven phenolic compounds in extracts obtained by different protocols. The Soxhlet extraction provided the highest content of phenolic compounds.

Automated summary

In this study, a HPLC method was validated for the quantification of phenolic compounds in the roots, leaves, kernel, and shell fruit of Trapa natans L.