Isolation and characterization of annonacin from Annona muricata L using semipreparative HPLC

The secondary metabolism of the species Annona muricata , popularly known as soursop (Annonaceae), produces a class of substances known as acetogenins. Given the significant pharmacological importance of these secondary metabolites, this work aims to apply chromatographic techniques to isolate and confirm the identity of the main acetogenin in Annona muricata L., highlighting the importance of this approach for large-scale production of the active principles of this compound. The ethanolic extract of A. muricata seeds was fractionated by classical column chromatography, and the resulting fraction was analyzed by TLC, yielding a fraction rich in acetogenins. From this fraction, 600 mg was isolated by semi-preparative reverse-phase liquid chromatography, yielding 150.52 mg of isolated acetogenin. After isolation, the sample was again analyzed by chromatography in analytical mode to confirm its purity and subjected to NMR for identity confirmation, which revealed it to be annonacin, the major acetogenin of Annona muricata L. in both leaves and seeds, corroborating literature data. Thus, this study contributed to the valorization of this species through spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis of its chemical constituents, as well as to the work of natural products chemistry in the prospecting and isolation of these constituents.