Optimization and validation of HPLC/DAD method for the determination of adenosine and cordycepin in cordyceps products

Adenosine and cordycepin are bioactive compounds with health benefits. Therefore, both substances are often used to assess the quality of Cordyceps products. Optimization and validation of the HPLC/DAD method for determining two nucleosides were studied. The samples were prepared using an ultrasound-assisted extraction (ultrasonic bath). The result was optimal conditions for aqueous extraction, an extraction time of 35 min, and an extraction temperature of 40 degrees C. The Chromatographic separation was achieved using a reverse phase column (InfinityLab Poroshell 120 EC-C18, 4.6 x 250 mm, 2.7 mu m) at 30 degrees C with a mobile phase gradient elution of water and methanol at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. The eluents were monitored via a diode array detector at 260 nm. Two nucleosides were separated by less than 12 min after injection. The developed method was found to be excellent linear (r(2 )> 0.9999), accurate (% recovery 95.34-98.51), and precise (% relative standard deviation < 2.0). The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.45 and 1.38 mg/mL for adenosine and 0.47 and 1.43 mg/mL for cordycepin, respectively. This method was satisfactory for simultaneously quantitating two nucleoside contents, which were used to evaluate Cordyceps products.