Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of psoralen in babchi (psoralea corylifolia) oil

Abstract

A simple, selective, precise, accurate, and cost-effective thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method for analysis of psoralen in different brands of babchi (Psoralea corylifolia) oil has been developed and validated. Aluminium TLC plates precoated with silica gel 60F254 were used as the stationary phase and n-hexane-acetone-formic acid 2:1:0.025 (v/v) as mobile phase. A compact, resolved psoralen peak (RF value 0.32 ± 0.02) was observed by densitometric analysis in absorbance mode at 250 nm. Calibration data revealed a good linear relationship (r2 = 0.9956) between peak area and concentration in the range 20-200 ng per spot. Mean ± SD values of slope and intercept were 11.35 ± 0.36 and 14.64 ± 0.31, respectively. Statistical analysis proved the method to be a repeatable, selective, and accurate means of estimation of psoralen in different brands of babchi oil. © 2008 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest.