Objective: To establish HPLC fingerprint for the quality control of processed Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (PRAM).
Methods: 14 batches of PRAM were collected from different places and were analyzed with the developed HPLC fingerprints method. The HPLC separation was performed on a Kromasil C18 analytical column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm), and gradient elution was performed by mobile phase containing acetonitrile and water. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detection wavelength was at 242 nm. The temperature of column was 25 degrees C.
Results: Sixteen mutual peaks were selected in chromatography. Among the obtained fingerprints, the most of the detected peaks were separated effectively. The methodological evaluation showed that the method had a good repeatability.
Conclusion: The RSD of relative retention time of mutual peaks which existed in all samples was less than 1.1%. The results of peak areas were in accordance with the request of fingerprint. The established fingerprint can be used for the quality control and species identifying of PRAM.