ABSTRACTIntroductionSeveral biochemical studies have already shown that cardamonin has health promoting properties, such is in agreement with typical characteristics of chalcones. Although being a very promising compound for the nutraceutical field there is a lack of studies concerning its electroanalytical properties.ObjectiveTo develop an electroanalytical methodology for the quantification of cardamonin in cardamom.MethodologyCardamonin was analysed electrochemically by means of a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) using square wave voltammetry (SWV). It was extracted from cardamom spice and quantified thereafter using the standard additions method to overcome matrix effects.ResultsA limit of detection (LOD) of 0.15 mg/L and good linearity (r2 = 0.9998) were obtained. Decoction using ethanol as the extraction solvent appears to be the simplest extraction technique. Spectrophotometric analysis (maximum absorbance peak was found in ethanol at 344 nm with a value of molar extinction coefficient of (2.8 ± 0.1) × 104 L mol−1 cm−1) and mass spectrometry analysis by electrospray in the positive ion mode were also performed.ConclusionCardamonin was detected voltammetrically. The LOD and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the proposed voltammetric methodology are adequate for trace analysis of this compound in several phytochemical matrices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.