Analysis of compounds with phytoestrogenic activity in dietary supplements with use of HPTLC-densitometry method.

Soy (Glycine max L., Fabaceae) and soy products are becoming more popular because of their low toxicity and therapeutic effects. Soy possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, however, the most important is its estrogenic activity associated with occurrence of phytoestrogens.

Application of solid phase extraction with the use of silica modified with polyaniline film for pretreatment of samples from plant material before HPLC determination of triterpenic acids.

The new sorbent based on silica gel coated with a film of polyaniline (Si-PANI) was obtained in a process of in situ polymerization directly on carrier particles and its potential application for pretreatment of plant material samples with the use of solid phase extraction (SPE) was investigated. Parameters such as cartridge conditioning, the volume and concentration of the sample, the type and volume of the elution solvent were optimized and compared with parameters obtained for RP-18 and aminopropyl silica cartridges. The high recovery values above 97% after the SPE procedure with the use of Si-PANI cartridges proves their utility for analysis of triterpenic acids.