Lignan Purification
Lignan Purification
Materials and Methods
Lignans for Life Hydroxymatairesinol (HMR) Lignan was obtained from Amazon.com (Seattle, WA, USA) and EtOH was obtained from Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA).
Solutions of 1 HMR Lignan Capsule (0.169g), 5 HMR Lignan capsules (0.785 g), and 100.0 mL of EtOH and 10 HMR Lignan capsules (1.629 g) and 100.0 mL of EtOH were prepared. These solutions were filtered and analyzed using the HPLC at absorbance wavelength of 270 nm and 28℃ using an acetonitrile (ACN) and 0.1% TFA gradient for 30 minutes. The first 15 minutes were run at 100% 0.1% TFA, 15-25 minutes at 100% ACN, and 25-30 minutes at 100% 0.1% TFA.
Results and Discussion
The purification of lignan using an easily accessible source such as Lignans for Life’s HMR Lignans seems to be a promising method of gaining lignan for experimental use. Purification of these HMR lignan capsules produced a chromatogram that has a single peak, indicating that our sample is a relatively pure compound with little pollution (Figure 2.). As the absorption of each peak increases with higher mass of solute, we see that the amount of uncharacterized compound in the HMR Lignan capsules is relatively homogeneous across the samples. Because we cannot be sure that these HMR Lignan capsules contain hydroxymatairesinol, further characterization steps will need to be taken to ensure that the claims of the manufacturers are accurate.
Future Directions
Because this project has not reached any conclusion as to whether Lignans for Life HMR Lignan truly contains hydroxymatairesinol, further characterization of this powder must be performed. This can be done through nuclear magnetic resonance or through mass spectroscopy. Once a characterization of this unknown is completed, different tests can be performed in order to better understand the biological activity of this specific lignan, including a Kirby-Bauer test. If this lignan is easily isolated, this could also provide material for further lignin/lignan degradation and synthesis work.