Optimization of an HPLC method for the simultaneous quantification of the major organic acids in different fruit extracts

Abstract

An RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous quantification of organic acids was developed to profile different fruit extracts. An optimized extraction procedure to recover the polar fraction is presented. Aqueous phase acidified to pH 2.0 enabled optimum resolution of a mixture composed of twelve standard acids. Flow rate of 0.6 ml/min rendering column pressure of 965 psi in our specified column has served a vital parameter for precision and reproducibility. A comparable peak alignment of the mixture was set after evaluating LOD and LOQ of each standard. External calibration method was employed; retention time and spiking technique confirmed analyte identity. Repeatability expressed as percentage standard deviation was less than 1.3. Three to six organic acids could be simultaneously quantified for each fruit. The principal organic acid of Garcinia xanthochymus, Garcinia pedunculata, Rhus semialata, Docynia indica, and Averrhoa carambola was found as succinic, (-)-Hydroxycitric acid, malic, malonic and oxalic acid respectively.