CHARACTERIZATION AND QUALITY CONTROL OF COPAIBA OILS (Copaifera sp.) BY RELATIVE RETENTION FACTOR BY HPTLC TO DETECTION OF BIOMARKERS

Copaiba oilresins present medicinal uses that demand the development of methodologies that could ensure the authenticity and guarantee the species differentiation. The usual way to differentiate the copaiba oils is analyze the terpene composition, mainly the diterpenic acids profile. Unlike caryophyllene and its oxide, copaiba diterpenes are not commercially available and lab obtention is expensive and time consuming. At this paper, a new methodology is presented that allows the fast and reliable detection of copaiba biomarkers using HPTLC retention factor relative to an appropriate standard. Several commercially available substances were analyzed and the monoterpene linalool oxide was chosen. The comparison of relative retention factors allowed the confirmation of caryophyllene and its oxides and the diterpenic acids copalic, hydroxy-copalic, acetoxycopalic, agathic, and hardwickiic. Calibration curve showed strong correlation (vertical bar r vertical bar >= 0.9962) with R-2 >= 0.9928.