Rapid Isolation of Ecdysteroids from Crustacean Tissues and Culture Media Using Sep-Pak C18 Cartridges

Abstract

A liquid chromatographic method for isolating ecdy-steroids from crab tissues and crustacean tissue culture media is reported. The method employs commercially-available Sep-Pak C18 cartridges containing a reversed phase packing that retains ecdysteroids. The technique is simple and rapid; it typically yields recoveries in the range of 85–90% for extractions of tissues, and 90–95% for extractions of media.