Planta Med 2012; 78 - PJ27
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321187

Development and validation of a rapid RP-HPLC method for analysis of (-)-copalic acid in Copaiba oleoresin

A Borges Souza 1, MR Moreira 1, CHG Borges 1, MR Simão 1, JK Bastos 2, JPB de Sousa 2, SR Ambrosio 1, RCS Veneziani 1
  • 1Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca/SP 14404–600, Brazil
  • 2Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto/SP 14040–93, Brazil

The Copaifera species (Leguminoseae) are popularly known as “copaíba” or “copaíva” are grown in the states of Amazonas, Pará, and Ceará in Northern Brazil, are also largely commercialized in Brazil and exported to Europe and North America. The oleoresins obtained from these species have been extensively used due their pharmacological potential and their application in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. In the present study, the development and validation of a novel, rapid, and efficient RP-HPLC methodology for the analysis of the diterpene (-)-copalic acid (CA), pointed out as the only chemical marker of the Copaifera genus, is described. The results have led to the conclusion that the use of CA as the sole chemical marker of copaíba oleoresins only allows for the recognition of the authenticity of the samples. It is not possible to determine whether the product is adulterated or constituted by oleoresins from different Copaifera species.