OBJECTIVEA Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) technique for the determination of ginsenosides Re, Rb1 in Panax quinquefolius was developed and validated.

METHODThe MEKC was performed in a mixed buffer solution containing 20 mmol x L(-1) boric acid, 20 mmol x L(-1) sodium tetraborate, 60 mmol x L(-1) sodium cholate (CA) and 20% acetonitrile under the applied voltage of 20 kV at 25 degrees C. The detection wavelenth was 203 nm, the sampling time is 5 sec (hydrostatic injection).

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe liner range was 0.38 - 1.65 mg x ml(-1) for Re and 0.42 - 1.76 g x L(-1) for Rb1. The average recovery for Re was 97.2%, RSD = 1.6% and that for Rb1 was 97.7%, RSD = 1.9% (n = 5). The preparation of sample is easy and the chromatogram has much information.