Assay of quadranguloside, the major saponin of leaves of Passiflora alata, by HPLC‐UV

Abstract
An HPLC method with UV detection has been developed and validated in order to quantify quadranguloside, the main saponin of the leaves of Passiflora alata. The analysis was achieved by simple isocratic elution (with acetonitrile:aqueous phosphoric acid) using a Nova‐Pak® phenyl column. The amount of quadranguloside present in aqueous extracts from leaves of P. alata was estimated to be 22.2% (w/w), corresponding to 0.8% (w/w) in relation to dried leaves. The assay method described is simple, rapid, accurate and sensitive, and may form part of future drug authentication protocols. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.