Simultaneous quantification of two phenolic biomarkers by a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method in antimicrobial and antioxidant active ethyl acetate fraction of Allium cepa L. (peel)

In this study, we have developed a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous quantification of two phenolic biomarkers, protocatechuic acid (compound 1) and quercetin 4ʹ-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound 2) in antimicrobial and antioxidant active A. cepa ethyl acetate extract (ACEAE). The quantitative analysis was carried out on normal-phase HPTLC (glass-backed silica gel 60 F254) plates with solvents toluene, ethyl acetate, and formic acid in the ratio of 3:6:1, v/v (as the mobile phase). Well-resolved, compact, and intense peaks of compound 1 (RF = 0.56 ± 0.001) and compound 2 (RF = 0.05 ± 0.001) were found at λmax = 275 nm. The linear regression equation / r2 for compound 1 (Y = 8.89X + 250.71 / 0.994) and compound 2 (Y = 6.64X + 209.34 / 0.998) in the concentration range of 100–700 ng spot−1 indicated good linear relationship. The low values of percent relative standard deviation (%RSD) for intra-day / inter-day precision of compound 1 (1.14–1.26 / 1.08–1....