1988 Volume 36 Issue 11 Pages 4467-4473
Qualitative analysis of crude saponin fractions from Panax ginseng, Panax japonicus and Bupleurum falcatum, as well as authentic saponins, was performed with a new type of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) system equipped with a frit-fast atom bombardment (FRIT-FAB) interface. The separation of saponins was achieved on a semi-micro column by gradient high performance liquid chromatography using an acetonitrile and water system as a mobile phase, and the elution profile was monitored by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). The peaks were readily identified from their retention times and negative ion FAB spectra. Thus, LC/MS in the gradient-elution mode was demonstrated to be useful for qualitative analysis of saponins in crude drugs.
