OBJECTIVETo develop a GC method for simultaneous determination of 4 compounds (atractylone, hinesol, beta-eudesmol and atractylodin) in Atractylodes lancea.

METHODA HP-1 capillary column (0.25 mm x 30 m, 0.25 microm) was used. The detector was FID:Inlet temperature was 250 degrees C. The detector temperature was 250 degrees C. The column temperature was set at 145 degrees C and held for 25 min after injection, then programmed at 10 degrees C x min(-1) to 250 degrees C and held for 10 min at the temperature. The carrying gas was nitrogen, split ratio was 40:1. Injection volume was 2 microL, Cluster analysis was performed by SPSS13.0 software.

RESULTThe linear ranges for atractylone, hinesol, beta-eudesmol and atractylodin were 0.0122. 32 (r = .9998), 0.008-1.68 (r = 0.9998), 0.009-1.76 (r = 0.9999), 0.016-3.20 g x L(-1) (r = 0.9997), respectively. The average recoveries (n = 3) of atractylone, hinesol, beta-eudesmol and atractylodin were 98.0%-99.0%, 97.7%-99.4%, 98.4%-99.2%, 97.8%-99.7%, respectively. The samples analyzed were divided into two classes.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, specific, repeatable and stable. It can be applied for the simultaneous determination of 4 compounds (atractylone, hinesol, beta-eudesmol and atractylodin) in A. lancea, which will provide the basis for the quality control of A. lancea. The contents of 4 active compounds were significantly different between geo-authentic and non-authentic producing areas.