Simultaneous Quantitative Analysis of Coumarin and Cinnamaldehyde in Cinnamon Produced in Different Regions

Significance of the Topic

Cinnamon is widely used as a spice and traditional remedy, yet it contains coumarin, a hepatotoxic compound, and cinnamaldehyde, which has been linked to adverse fetal effects in animal studies. Regulatory bodies, such as the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, limit daily coumarin intake to 0.1 mg/kg body weight. Accurate, rapid quantification of these compounds in cinnamon from diverse origins is essential for consumer safety and quality control.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study aimed to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method that simultaneously quantifies coumarin and cinnamaldehyde in Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum verum. Key goals included achieving clear separation, optimizing detection wavelengths, and validating the method’s precision, linearity, and recovery.

Methodology

Samples of dried cinnamon bark were extracted with acetonitrile. Lipids and matrix interferences were removed via dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) using a Z-Sep+ cartridge. The extract was filtered (0.2 µm) and diluted before HPLC analysis. Chromatographic separation employed a C18 column with a water–acetonitrile gradient, and detection was performed at 280 nm for coumarin and 320 nm for cinnamaldehyde to balance sensitivity and selectivity.

Used Instrumentation

• HPLC system: Nexera™ lite
• Column: Shim-pack™ GIST-HP C18 (150 mm × 3.0 mm I.D., 3 µm)
• Detector: Photodiode Array (SPD-M40), channels at 280 nm and 320 nm
• Sample vials: SHIMADZU LabTotal™ LC glass vials (1.5 mL)

Main Results and Discussion

The method achieved baseline separation of both analytes within 5 minutes. Reproducibility tests (n = 6) yielded %RSD values below 0.1% for retention times and below 0.5% for peak areas. Calibration curves were linear across 12.5–1000 µg/L for coumarin and 500–40 000 µg/L for cinnamaldehyde (r2 ≥ 0.9999). Recovery studies on spiked C. cassia samples gave average recoveries of 106.0% (RSD 3.9%) for coumarin and 93.5% (RSD 2.4%) for cinnamaldehyde. Analysis of commercial samples revealed high coumarin levels in C. cassia (3791 µg/g) versus low levels in C. verum (30 µg/g), while cinnamaldehyde ranged from 4364 to 17 428 µg/g depending on origin.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

This streamlined protocol enables one-run quantification of both targets without column conditioning and with simplified sample preparation. Laboratories can implement it for routine quality control, regulatory compliance testing, and comparative studies of cinnamon products.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Further enhancements may include ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography for faster throughput, online solid-phase extraction for automation, and expansion to multi-residue screening, integrating mass spectrometric detection for increased specificity.

Conclusion

A robust HPLC method was established for simultaneous determination of coumarin and cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon from different regions. The approach offers high precision, sensitivity, and recovery, supporting its adoption in food safety and industrial laboratories.

References

1. Kim S., Hyun S., Choung S. J. Ethnopharmacol. 104(1–2):119–123 (2006)
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3. Hohe tägliche Aufnahmemengen von Zimt: Gesundheitsrisiko kann nicht ausgeschlossen werden. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (2006)