Co-Quantification of Curcuminoids and Piperine by RP-HPLC/DAD from Spray-Dried Microparticles for Routine Quality Control

Abstract Curcuminoids (CURs) are frequently co-administered with piperine (PIP) to enhance their pharmacological potential. Curcumin (CUR), the principal phenolic compound in the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), has limited oral bioavailability, while PIP can act as a bioenhancer. In this context, reliable simultaneous quantification of CURs-PIP is essential for routine quality control in herbal medicine industry. This study aimed to develop and validate a simple, precise, and robust RP-HPLC/DAD method for the simultaneous determination of CURs and PIP in spray-dried microparticles. Microparticles were produced by spray-drying using Eudragit® S100, and the analytical method was validated according to ICH Q2(R1) and ANVISA RDC 166/2017. Specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, and encapsulation efficiency were assessed. Linearity was demonstrated within 200-500 μg·mL⁻1 (CURs expressed as curcumin, CUReq) and 8-20 μg·mL⁻1 (PIP) with r>0.996. Recoveries were ~100% (100.18% for CUReq; 99.56% for PIP) with CV<5%. Encapsulation efficiency was ≥99% for both analytes. The method proved accurate, precise, robust, and suitable for routine quality control of microparticulate formulations containing both CURs and PIP.