Headspace gas chromatographic determination of β-caryophyllene in Epilobium angustifolium L. extracts

Abstract

Epilobium angustifolium L. is a plant widely used in folk medicine. It is rich in biologically active compounds including phenols, flavonoids, terpenes, aliphatic acids and sterols; however, until now, little attention has been paid to its volatile components. This research demonstrated that Epilobium angustifolium L. is rich in β-caryophyllene that is possibly responsible for its unique therapeutic properties. The leaves of Epilobium angustifolium L. are traditionally used as a tea. On the other hand, β-caryophyllene is soluble in oils, thus an extract of Epilobium angustifolium L. in edible oils should also demonstrate a healing effect. Therefore, quick and reliable methods of β-caryophyllene determination in edible oils and in water solutions are required. In this work, headspace gas chromatography is suggested to determine β-caryophyllene. At the optimized chromatographic conditions for β-caryophyllene solutions in coconut oil the calibration curve was linear up to 10 mg g–1, the detection limit was 60 µg kg–1, for β-caryophyllene solutions in water the calibration curve was linear up to 40 µg l–1, and the detection limit was 6 µg l–1. The methods were applied for the β-caryophyllene determination in the extract of Epilobium angustifolium L. in sunflower oil and in Epilobium angustifolium L. tea.