Identification and quantification of γ-tocopherol in Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis melo and Cucumis sativus seeds extracts by high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

The present research study focused on identification and quantification of I³-tocopherol in n-hexane and petroleum ether seed extracts of Cucurbita pepo (CP), Cucumis melo (CM), Cucumis sativus (CS) belonging to family Cucurbitaceae by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). n-Hexane and petroleum ether extracts were prepared using soxhlet extraction and I³-tocopherol was identified and quantified using HPLC analysis with ultraviolet/visible (UV–vis) detection. The chromatographic conditions for HPLC analysis followed were: column, reverse-phase C-18, 5µ, 250x4.6mm; column temperature, 25°C; mobile phase, methanol: acetonitrile 60:40(v/v); flow rate, 1.0ml/min; detection wavelength, 292nm; run time, 15minutes. n-Hexane andpetroleum ether seed extracts of Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis melo and Cucumis sativus were determined to contain 0.2900%w/v, 0.6666%w/v, 0.9162%w/v and 0.5093%w/v, 0.7781%w/v, 0.5564%w/v I³-tocopherol respectively. From the results obtained it can be concluded that seeds of Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis melo and Cucumis sativus are good sources of I³-tocopherol which justifies their medicinal and commercial uses.