Multivariate optimisation and validation of a capillary electrophoresis method for the analysis of resveratrol in a nutraceutical

A rapid and simple method based on capillary electrophoresis was developed for the quality control of nutraceuticals containing resveratrol. Setting the UV detector at 280nm, the optimisation involved the separation of 11 effervescent tablet components, including the active compounds vitamin C, vitamin B(2), flavanones and hydroxycinnamic acids. Flufenamic acid was employed as internal standard. The effects of background electrolyte concentration, acetonitrile percentage and voltage were investigated by means of response surface methodology, considering as responses the critical resolution values and analysis time. The optimum conditions were found by Derringer desirability function. The background electrolyte consisted of 23mM borate buffer, adjusted to pH 10.0 with 1M sodium hydroxide, containing 7% (v/v) acetonitrile. Temperature and voltage were set at 25 degrees C and 26kV, respectively. Applying these conditions, the analysis time was below 7min. The performances of the method were tested in terms of selectivity, robustness, linearity and range, accuracy and precision and system suitability, following ICH guidelines.