Tagetes L.,the genus in the family Asteraceae,consists of about 30 species spread in South and Middle America as well as Mexico.More than one hundred secondary metabolites have been obtained in phytochemical investigation on the species,some of which have potent biological activities.The advances in phytochemical studies and biological activities of the plants in Tagetes L.from 1925 to 2011 are summarized in this paper.

OBJECTIVETo develop a RP-HPLC method for determining the contents of atranol, lecanorin, ethyl orsellinate and methyl orsellinate in Usnea diffracta.

METHODA Kromasil-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used at 25 degrees C with the mobile phases of acetonitrile -1% acetic acid in a gradient manner. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 280 nm.

RESULTThe correlation coefficients of atranol, lecanorin, ethyl orsellinate, and methyl orsellinate were higher than 0.999. Recoveries were from 102.9% to 95.30%; with RSD from 2.3% to 1.9%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is quick, simple and repeatable for simultaneous determination of atranol, lecanorin, ethyl orsellinate and methyl orsellinate in U. diffracta.

Benzaldehydes ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Resorcinols ; analysis ; Usnea ; chemistry