Comparison of (+)-catechin determination in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with two types of detection: fluorescence and ultraviolet

In this study we developed a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of (+)-catechin in human plasma, using both fluorescence and UV detection. Sample preparation involved precipitation of plasma. proteins using acetonitrile, followed by direct injection into the HPLC system using both types of detection. Validation of accuracy and precision were satisfactory fur both within- and between-batch assays. For fluorescence detection, coefficients of variation were less than 6.47% and mean relative errors were within +/- 4.8%. The average recovery was 85.31%. The limit of detection and quantification were 5 ng/ml and 40 ng/ml, respectively. Ultraviolet detection was also used bur appeared less sensitive and selective than fluorescence detection. This new method provides a simple, accurate. precise and specific method for the determination for (+)-catechin in plasma. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.