The determination of coumestrol in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) by capillary electrophoresis
High performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) on an uncoated fused-silica capillary column using a borate buffer at pH 9.2 as electrolyte and diode-array detection was developed for the determination of coumestrol in alfalfa. The linear detector response was established in the concentration range 0.76–140 mg.dm<sup>–3</sup>, the minimum detectable limit was 0.39 mg.dm<sup>–3</sup>, and migration time of coumestrol was 5 min. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthin was used as an internal standard. Coumestrol was isolated by acid extraction employing a mixture hydrochloric acid-acetonitrile at 95°C for 30 min followed by solid phase extraction. Relative standard deviations of reproducibility and repeatability were 1.77% and 5.49%, respectively. Spiking recovery value of 92% was achieved. Alfalfa, variety Morava, contains 148–248 mg.kg<sup>–1</sup> coumestrol in dry matter. The proposed method is useful for routine analyses.