FAST CHROMATOGRAPHIC FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS OF GLYCYRRHIZAE RADIX BY ULTRA FAST LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

In the present study, a method based on ultra-fast liquid chromatography (UFLC) was successfully developed for chromatographic fingerprint (CFP) analysis of Glycyrrhizae radix. The CFP analysis was performed on an Agilent ZorBax XDB-C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 µm) using a gradient elution of methanol and water (containing 1% acetic acid) within a runtime of 30 min. The method was validated by eleven common peaks that were shown in all samples. The results revealed that the method was precise, stable, and reproducible. Using the established method, three Glycyrrhizae radix samples from different sources were evaluated for their similarity. Compared to the conventional high performance liquid chromatography, UFLC provided many advantages, such as time saving, less solvent consumption and better separation efficiency. It was a reliable and powerful method for quality control of traditional Chinese medicines with multi-components.