Recycling HPLC for the Isolation of Styryl Lactone from Goniothalamus lanceolatus Miq

Abstract

A unique plant from the rainforest of Sarawak, Malaysia, Goniothalamus lanceolatus Miq., was chosen for a phytochemical study based on its ethnomedicinal characteristics amongst the locals. Isolation and purification of a minor compound exhibiting similar retention characteristics was made possible by using preparative Recycling HPLC. Due to a recycle valve in the HPLC system, this method enables the unresolved peaks to recirculate into the column repeatedly until the peaks were successfully separated as pure entity. During the recycling process, solvent consumption is not needed. Recycling HPLC expediates the isolation and purification of complex mixtures in such a sustainable way. One styryl lactone was successfully isolated and identified as 6S,7S,8S-(-)-goniodiol.