Fitoterapia. 2000 Jun; 71(3): 232-5.

A convenient method for the determination of the quality of goldenseal.

Govindan M, Govindan G.

Department of Chemistry, Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA 01420, USA. mgovindan@fsc.edu

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has emerged as one of the top five herbal supplements in the world-wide market. A convenient method for the determination of the quality and possible adulteration of goldenseal products is thin-layer chromatography (TLC). TLC analysis of 10 goldenseal samples using two solvent systems and spray reagents was conducted. Five of these samples contained both hydrastine and berberine, four contained berberine and one did not contain either of these alkaloids. These TLC results were verified by HPLC analysis.