Optimization of the determination of tocopherols in Agaricus sp. edible mushrooms by a normal phase liquid chromatographic method.

Individual tocopherol profile of five Agaricus mushroom species, widely consumed in Portugal, was obtained by a normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NP-HPLC). It was used a simple solid-liquid extraction procedure without saponification step and the chromatographic separation was achieved using a YMC-Pack Polyamine II column using an isocratic elution with hexane/ethyl acetate (70:30, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0mL/min. The effluent was monitored by a fluorescence detector. All the compounds were separated in a period of time of 30min. The method proved to be sensitive, reproducible and accurate, allowing the determination of tocopherols.