OBJECTIVETo compare the contents of diterpenoid pigments among the fruit, seed, and pericarp from Gardenia jasminoides.

METHODThe separation of Crocin 1, Crocin 2, Crocin 3 were carried out simultaneously on a Kromasil C18 column at 35 degrees C with the methanol-acetonitrile-0.3% formic acid anhydrous in gradient elution as the mobile phrases. The detection wavelength was set at 440 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1).

RESULTThe obtained linearity of the three components was better over 0.999 5 and the average recoveries were 97.50%, 98.76%, 97.67%, respectively. The results exhibited the remarkable variation among the different parts of the fruit.

CONCLUSIONThe contents of three constituents in seed were higher than in pericarp.