Minor Project

Minor Project

My research question is concentrated on quantitative analysis of gossypol and its enantiomers acquired from Hibiscus tiliaceus leaves. Gossypol was first found in cottonseed, it could be extracted from several genera that are closely related to the Gossypium. However, an investigation of gossypol enantiomeric contents in leaves of H. tiliaceus has not been studied.

Researchers who have looked at this subject are Jerzy W. Jaroszewski and Kongkiat Pongrod. The arguments were based upon the presence of gossypol in H. tiliaceus.

Jaroszewski et al. (1991) argued that gossypol in H. tiliaceus wood and bark could not be detected by their high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. In addition, they claimed that their HPLC method could separate two enantiomers of gossypol. However, they neither showed the gossypol content nor demonstrate the validity of the method.

Pongrod et al. (2000) argued that gossypol could be isolated from H. tiliaceus by using brine shrimp assay guided fractionation. Moreover, their results were harmonized with the information suggested by the World Health Organization. However, they did not quantitate the gossypol and its enantiomeric contents.

Debate centers on the issue of the presence or absence of gossypol in H. tiliaceus leaves in which two reports provided inconclusive data. There is still work to be done on developing suitable method to quantify gossypol enantiomers and total gossypol content in H. tiliaceus leaves.

My research is closer to Jaroszewski’s work in which HPLC was used to quantify both gossypol enantiomers in H. tilaceus leaves that collected from different sources throughout Thailand.

Hopefully, my contribution to the debate will be served the validated HPLC method for the purpose of screening of gossypol enantiomers and the accurate identification given quality control of the plant material which is an essential prerequisite for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal materials.

References:

Jaroszewski, J., Strøm-Hansen, T., Hansen, S., Thastrup, O., & Kofod, H. (1992). On the botanical distribution of chiral forms of gossypol. Planta Medica, 58(05), 454-458.

Pongrod, K., & Chavasiri, W. (2000). Chemical constituents of the leaves of Hibiscus tiliaceus Linn and their biological activities. In 26th Congress on Science & Technology of Thailand (p. 150). Bangkok: Technical Information Services.