A sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method for analysis of (‐)epicatechin (3,3′,4′,5,7‐pentahydroxyflavan) in cocoa beans is described. Bean samples were extracted in 80% acetone with subsequent sample clean‐up on a Waters Associates C 18 SEPPAK. Separation of (‐)‐epicatechin was accomplished on a μBondapak C 18 column using a mobile phase of water:methanol:acetic acid (87:8:5). (‐)‐Epicatechin was detected at 280 nm and quantified by comparing peak height of sample to those of standards. The method demonstrated excellent reproducibility and recoveries of added (‐)epicatechin averaged over 90%. UV scans and mass spectrometric anlaysis of collected eluate from the chromatograph provided positive identification of the compound in cocoa bean extracts.
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KIM et al. (1983) studied this question.