ABSTRACT
Objective: To develop a qualitative method for the quick determination of proanthocyanidins in Ginkgo Folium preparation (GFP), and to provide the objective evidence for the quality control of proanthocyanidins. Methods: NP-HPLC and HPLC-DAD-MS methods were developed to analyze the composition of proanthocyanidins in Ginkgo Folium proanthocyanidin extract, grape-seed extract, GFP, and adulterate GFP. Results: The proanthocyanidins were separated in normal phase mode according to their degree of polymerization. The proanthocyanidins from grape-seed extract, which consisted of (epi)catechin, had only one characteristic absorption band in HPLC chromatograms for each degree of polymerization; And proanthocyanidins of GFP, which consisted of (epi)gallocatechin and (epi)catechin, had two or three characteristic absorption bands for each degree of polymerization. Conclusion: The HPLC method is applicable for the qualitative analysis of proanthocyanidins and the identification of authentic and adulterated proanthocyanidins in GFP.