Gas chromatographic analysis of the carboxylic acid composition of valeriana extracts

Summary The gas chromatographic analysis for the qualitatived and quantitative analysis of carboxylic acids present in valeriana extracts in the form of their n-butyl and trifluoroacetylated n-butyl esters is presented. On the basis of the proposed method the amount of four valtrate species, as well as the free carboxylic acid content of valeriana tinctures can be calculated. It is shown that extracts of Valeriana officinalis obtained by using ethanol, acetone, or chloroform as the solvent contain the same carboxylic acids. The determined components, are: formic, acetic, propionic, isobutyric, n-butyric, lactic, isovaleric, n-valeric, 2-hydroxy-isovaleric, isocaproic, n-caproic, caprylic, malic, capric, lauric, myristic, valerenic, palmitic, stearic, arachic, behenic, erucic and lignoceric acids.