Determination of Scoparone in Citrus Roots by Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography

A new MEKC method has been developed to determine the amount of the phytoalexin, scoparone, in Citrus roots. The separation and analysis was achieved with a running buffer of 100 mM SDS, 25 mM phosphate and 12% (v/v) methanol pH 6.2. Separation was performed at 12 kV with 25°C and UV detection at 200 nm. A near complete recovery of scoparone was obtained with the extraction procedure. The MEKC method was compared with a fluorescence TLC method. The detection limit for scoparone with the MEKC method (2 μg/mL) was better than the TLC method (10 μg/mL).