Optimization of a high-performance liquid chromatography method for the separation and identification of six different classes of phenolics.

Flavonoids are chemical moieties widely distributed in certain plants that are important biologically active constituents of a daily human diet, with significant pharmacological potential (anti-hepatotoxic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-tumor activities). Thus keeping in view the importance of this class of compounds, a rapid method for the separation and identification of fifteen phenols belonging to six different types of phenolics in a sole analysis has been developed and validated using selectivity, precision, recovery, and robustness as parameters. The method developed, which is rapid, accurate, and robust for the analysis of different classes of phenols, can be used in the quality control and standardization of plant extracts as well as herbal drugs, including compound herbal formulations.