HPTLC and GC-MS for separation and identification of eugenol in plants

Samples of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon have been extracted by maceration with ethanol for 24 h and with aqueous ethanol 48 h. Rhizomes of herb bennet ( Geum urbanum ) and calamus ( Aconum calamus ) and roots of valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ) have been subjected to aqueous hydrolysis then extraction with dichloromethane. The active principles from the samples were separated on silica gel HPTLC plates, with pure (standard) and dental (pharmaceutical) eugenol, using n -heptane-ethyl acetate 60+40 ( v / v ) as mobile phase. After development the components were visualized in UV light at λ = 254 nm. The presence of eugenol was confirmed by GC-MS.