HPTLC–densitometric and HPTLC–MS methods for analysis of flavonoids

ABSTRACTHPTLC silica gel plates without and with fluorescence indicator F254 in combination with n-hexane–ethyl acetate–formic acid (20:19:1, v/v/v) as a developing solvent were explored for the HPTLC–densitometric and HPTLC–MS/(MSn) analyses of flavonoids. Pre-development of the plates with chloroform–methanol (1:1, v/v) was needed for reliable HPTLC–densitometric analyses of flavonoid aglycones in the whole RF range, while 2-step pre-development (1st methanol–formic acid (10:1, v/v), 2nd methanol), that decreased background signals of formic acid adducts, was required for HPTLC–MS analyses. Optimization with conditioning of the adsorbent layer with water before development and saturation of the twin trough chamber resulted in required decrease of the RF values of studied flavonoids (flavone, apigenin, luteolin, chrysin, quercetin dihydrate, myricetin, kaempferide, kaempferol, naringenin, pinocembrin).Detection was performed based on fluorescence quenching (on the plates with F254), natural fluorescence ...