Objective: To develop a HPLC- ELSD method for determination the contents of geniposide, crocin and crocetin in different processing products of Fructus Gardeniae.
Methods: The separation was performed in the HyperClone ODS C18 column (250 mm x 4. 6 mm, 5 microm) with linear gradient elution using methanol-water and 0.05% phosphoric acid in water, the flowing rate was 0.8 mL/min, the column temperature was 30 degrees C, and the ELSD parameter was as follow: 70 degrees C as atomization temperature and 2.0 L/min as the gas flowing rate.
Results: The contents of geniposide and crocin in raw, yellowish, carbocoal and scorched Fructus Gardeniae decreased with the deepening of processing degree. However, the content of crocetin in carbocoal and scorched Fructus Gardeniae increased comparing with the raw one.
Conclusion: This is a simple and credible quality control method, and can be used for the quality control and comprehensive evaluation for different processed products of Fructus Gardeniae.