OBJECTIVETo develop an HPLC-DAD-ELSD method for detecting the fingerprint of Astragali Radix and evaluate the quality through similarity calculation and chemical pattern recognition.

METHODSeparation was performed at 25 degreeC on an Agilent Zorbax ODS C18 column(4.6 mm x250 mm,5 microm). Gradient elution was performed with the mobile phases of acetonitrile and water containing 0. 2% formic acid. The flow rate was 0. 8 mL min-1 , and sample size was 10 microL. The UV detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. The drift tube temperature for ELSD was set at 110 degreeC , and the nebulizing gas flow rate was 3.0 L min-1. The similarity calculation and chemical pattern recognition were used for fingerprint analysis.

RESULTThe HPLC-DAD-ELSD method for chromatographic fingerprint of Astragali Radix showed better results of stability, precision and repeatability. The reference chromatographic fingerprint of Astragali Radix was established on the eighteen Astragali Radix samples from different sources. The results of similarity calculation were higher than 0. 83, which was in accordance with the result of chemical pattern recognition analysis.

CONCLUSIONFingerprint and chemical pattern recognition analysis could effectively distinguish Astragali Radix from different source, which could be applied to the quality control of Astragali Radix.