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

The Copaifera species (Leguminoseae) are popularly known as 'copaíba' or 'copaíva' and are grown in the states of Amazonas, Pará and Ceará in northern Brazil. The oleoresins obtained from these species have been extensively used owing to 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, are described.