Quantitative analysis of ellagic acid in hardwood samples

A high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative analysis of ellagic acid in hardwood samples has been developed. Its low detection limit and very wide linear range allow analysis of dust samples collected on filters in occupational health activities or of wood samples in materials research. Several red oaks (Quercus robur) contain comparable amounts (19–63 mg ellagic acid/g wood) of ellagic acid as white oak (Quercus alba, 41 mg/g) or walnut (Juglans nigra, 28 mg/g) and chestnut (Castanea sativa, 89 mg/g) wood samples. In view of the roles of ellagitannins in oak wood strength or their postulated biological effects, this simple analytical method might find many direct applications.