HPTLC methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of selected furocoumarins in essential oils

TLDR: In this paper, simple and fast HPLC methods in one-dimensional and two-dimensional dimensions were developed for the simultaneous analysis of the 15 most common furocoumarins reported in Citrus essential oils.

Abstract: The concentration of furocoumarins, known to induce mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and photodermatitis under UV radiation, is limited by the EU cosmetic regulation in consumer products such as cosmetics, sun protection and bronzing formulations. The bergapten concentration is also limited by the International Fragrance Association. Analytical methods have been proposed for their quantification using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV detection or mass spectrometry with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) in accordance with the regulation. These methods are time and solvent consuming for routine quality control analyses. In this context, simple and fast HPLC methods in one- (1-D) and two- (2-D) dimensions were developed for the simultaneous analysis of the 15 most common furocoumarins reported in Citrus essential oils: psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, isopimpinellin, oxypeucedanin, oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicol, byakangelicin, heraclenin, 8-geranyloxypsoralen, bergamottin, imperatorin, isoimperatorin, phellopterin, epoxybergamottin along with five other furocoumarins known to be present in Angelica, bergamot or Heracleum species: angelicin, bergaptol, isobergapten, psora-4 and 5-(4-phenoxybutoxy)psoralen. The 1-D method was validated for the quantification of bergapten using a Camag TLC Scanner as a detector. The LOD was determined at 2 mg/kg. The method was linear from 2 to 100 mg/kg and the method range was defined using accuracy profiles at with an 80% tolerance interval, with a 30% error, to be 5–100 mg/kg in acetonitrile and 13–100 mg/kg in matrix.