The use of mobile phase additives enhances the separation and resolution of the bioactive compounds on the C(18) column. Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, and scoparone from Herba Artemisiae Scopariae were investigated as the target compounds. Acetic acid, triethylamine, inorganic salts, and several ionic liquids were added as mobile phase additives into methanol/water (40:60, v/v). The result revealed that a mobile phase with 0.01 mol/L of ionic liquid [BMIM][BF(4)] enabled the optimum separation of the four target compounds.
Keywords: Herba Artemisiae Scopariae; bioactive compounds; ionic liquids; mobile phase additive.