Primary active components in sepia: A qualitative and quantitative analysis / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To establish a method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major active components in sepia. Methods: Melanin was identified by dissoving it in a basic solution to see whether there was segregation of a black substance. Glycine, asparagines, glutamic acid and alanine in sepia were determined by HPLC-AccQ-Tag method and iron was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Melanin in sepia was dissolved in 2 mol/L NaOH solution and black substance was obtained in 2 mol/L HCl solution. The recoveries of the above 4 amino acids and iron were within the range of 95%-105% with RSD<5% (n=6). The mean contents of glycine, asparagines, glutamic acid, alanine and iron in 3 batches of sepia samples were 7.37, 11.23, 12.05, 7.32 and 0.206 mg · g-1, respectively. Conclusion: The method in this article is feasible for quantitative and qualitative analysis of bioactive contents in sepia; it has good repeatibility and may be used for the quality control of sepia.