Analysis of ginseng root and leaf by multiple columns and detections liquid chromatography

Abstract

A multiple columns and detections liquid chromatography system, including size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), for the analysis of macromolecules and micromolecules in ginseng root and leaf was developed. The columns were connected by two switching valves. Macromolecules were separated on a SEC column (TSK gel SuperMultipore PW-H column, 6 mm× 150 mm, 8 μm) by isocratic elution of 50 mM ammonium acetate aqueous solution, 0.3 mL/min of flow rate and detected by evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD). Micromolecules were analyzed on a Poroshell RP column (Agilent Poroshell 120 SB-Aq column, 4.6 mm × 50 mm, 2.7 µm) with gradient elution of water and acetonitrile, 0.6 mL/min of flow rate and detected by ultraviolet detection (UV). As a result, in the macromolecules chromatogram of ginseng root sample showed two main peaks while only one major peak for ginseng leaf. For micromolecules analysis, 17 compounds (3 nucleosides + 14 saponins) and 17 compounds (3 nucleosides + 1 flavonoid + 13 saponins) were found in ginseng root and leaf, respectively. The developed method is helpful for the quality evaluation of ginseng root and leaf.