Betaine is a quaternary ammonium compound, deriving from the amino acid glycine [1]. Its acid equilibrium is characterized by a pKa value of 2.33 for the carboxylic group, meaning that at environmental and physiological pHs the molecule is in a zwitterionic form. Betaine takes part into many different biochemical roles, such as: (i) organic osmolyte regulator in different tissues; (ii) methyl donor for the remethylation of homocysteine; (iii) protection against alcohol-induced liver injury; (iv) biological importance in cancer development and (v) interactions during pregnancy. For these reasons, a lack of betaine in the diet can cause alteration of health conditions, such as predisposition to stroke, cardiovascular disorders, Alzheimer’s and atypical DNA methylation leading to carcinogenesis [2]. One of the most well-known source of betaine for the daily uptake is sugar beet, belonging from the Chenopodiaceae family. In fact, many plants, in response to water stresses, accumulate this highly soluble, low molecular weight compound, allowing them to take up and retain their cellular water [3]. The aim of this work is the isolation and determination of betaine from different varieties of Beta Vulgaris (sugar beet, root beet, white beet). Several extraction methods were optimized, taking advantage of the different physico-chemical characteristics of betaine (i.e. high polarity, positive charge at pH values below its pKa). Analysis conditions were also successfully optimized, using both Ion Chromatography and Normal-Phase HPLC, coupled with UV and MS/MS detectors. Results in terms of linearity, limits of detection and limits of quantitation for both the analytical techniques were compared. The total contents of betaine in extracts of various part of plants (juice, peel, root) have been determined.
Optimization of isolation and determination of betaine from different varieties of Beta Vulgaris
RIVOIRA, LUCA;BRUZZONITI, Maria Concetta;
2016-01-01
Abstract
Betaine is a quaternary ammonium compound, deriving from the amino acid glycine [1]. Its acid equilibrium is characterized by a pKa value of 2.33 for the carboxylic group, meaning that at environmental and physiological pHs the molecule is in a zwitterionic form. Betaine takes part into many different biochemical roles, such as: (i) organic osmolyte regulator in different tissues; (ii) methyl donor for the remethylation of homocysteine; (iii) protection against alcohol-induced liver injury; (iv) biological importance in cancer development and (v) interactions during pregnancy. For these reasons, a lack of betaine in the diet can cause alteration of health conditions, such as predisposition to stroke, cardiovascular disorders, Alzheimer’s and atypical DNA methylation leading to carcinogenesis [2]. One of the most well-known source of betaine for the daily uptake is sugar beet, belonging from the Chenopodiaceae family. In fact, many plants, in response to water stresses, accumulate this highly soluble, low molecular weight compound, allowing them to take up and retain their cellular water [3]. The aim of this work is the isolation and determination of betaine from different varieties of Beta Vulgaris (sugar beet, root beet, white beet). Several extraction methods were optimized, taking advantage of the different physico-chemical characteristics of betaine (i.e. high polarity, positive charge at pH values below its pKa). Analysis conditions were also successfully optimized, using both Ion Chromatography and Normal-Phase HPLC, coupled with UV and MS/MS detectors. Results in terms of linearity, limits of detection and limits of quantitation for both the analytical techniques were compared. The total contents of betaine in extracts of various part of plants (juice, peel, root) have been determined.
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