Objective: The contents of major phenolic acids in Ainsliaea fragrans from different habitats were determined,in order to improve quality standards of Ainsliaea fragrans and provide reference for optimization its daodi habitat.
Methods: Separation and determination of two kinds of phenolic acids, caffeoylquinic acids (CQA)and dicaffeoylquinic acid (DCQA), in Ainsliaea fragrans were carried out by RP-HPLC with Cosmosil RP-C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 μm), acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid solution as mobile phase at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, detection wavelength at 328 nm and column temperature at 35 °C.
Results: CQA and DCQA were uneven in Ainsliaea fragrans from different habitats. In the sample from Wuyuan, Jiujiang and Shangrao in Jiangxi, the contents of phenolic acids were higher than those from other habitats significantly. The sample from Guangxi habitat had the lowest phenolic acids content. And the chlorogenic acid and 3,5-DCQAs' percentage were higher than other phenolic acids.
Conclusion: This method is accurate and easy with good repeatability, which can be used in determination of eight phenolic acids in Ainsliaea fragrans from different habitats. Ainsliaea fragrans in Jiangxi Province has good qulity.