FOOD SCIENCE ›› 2009, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (18 ): 303-306.doi: 10.7506/spkx1002-6630-200918069

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparison of HPLC and Spectrophotometric Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Carminic Acid

GUO Yuan-heng,MA Li-yi,ZHENG Hua,ZHANG Hong*,GAN Jin,ZHANG Zhong-he,ZHANG Wen-wen   

  1. Key Laboratory of Cultivation and Utilization of Resource Insects, State Forestry Administration,
    Research Institute of Resource Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, China
  • Received:2009-05-16 Online:2009-09-15 Published:2010-12-29
  • Contact: ZHANG Hong E-mail:kmzhhong@163.com

Abstract:

Using carminic acid produced by Sigma company as a reference substance, HPLC and spectrophotometric methods were applied to quantify carminic acid in cochineal. Two linear equations were made respectively for peak area measured by HPLC and absorbance at 494 nm measured by spectrophotometry as follows: Y = 7.8260X, R2 = 0.9988 and Y = 0.0137X, R2 = 0.9997, in the concentration range of 9.5—95.0 μg/ml. Using the two methods for quantitative analysis of 10 commercial or self-prepared cochineal samples, all results measured by spectrophotometry were slightly higher than those by HPLC, but there was no statistical difference between them. In conclusion, both the two methods can be used for quantitative analysis of carminic acid in cochineal samples.

Key words: HPLC, spectrophotometry, carminic acid, quantitative analysis

CLC Number: