Quantification of sugars and organic acids in hygroscopic pharmaceutical herbal dry extracts

Three chromatographic methods have been employed for the determination of hydrophilic compounds, namely carbohydrates and organic acids in herbal dry extracts of Eschscholtzia californica Cham. The hydrophilic compounds were separated from the other components of the dry extracts by solid-phase extraction methods, which were optimised with respect to recovery rates. Carbohydrates were quantified using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Organic acids were analysed by ion-exclusion chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Using the latter method, large amounts of glyceric acid were separated from the extracts of Eschscholtzia californica Cham. This substance together with sugars may be responsible for the increased hygroscopicity and the poor processing behaviour of the extracts.