Quality evaluation of rhubarb based on UPLC-PDA fingerprint and multi-component content determination by chemical pattern recognition / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: A method was established to obtain fingerprint and determination of ninecomponents in rhubarb based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array detection (UPLC-PDA), and 17 batches of rhubarb from different regions, different varieties and different growth years were analyzed. Methods: A ThermoSyncronis C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7μm) was used with a gradient of acetonitrile (A)-0.1% formic acid (B) as a mobile phase. Fingerprint data was imported intoSIMCA-P 14.1 software for cluster analysis and principal component analysis. At the same time, a total of ninecomponents including sennoside B, rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside, sennoside A, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside, aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, physcion were quantitatively analyzed. Results: 20 common peaks were found in the fingerprints of 17 batches of rhubarb, and 9 peaks were identified by standard compounds. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that Rheum tanguticumwas similar to Rheum officinaleand could be distinguished with Rheum palmatumwell. Fouryears and fiveyears of R. tanguticum could not be distinguished, oneyear and twoyears of R.palmatumcould not be distinguished neither. The determination of the indicator components showed thatR. tanguticum was higher than the other two kinds of rhubarb; Fouryears of R. tanguticum was better than five years, and twoyears of R.palmatumwas better than oneyear. Conclusion: This method established rhubarb fingerprint combined with multi-component determination based on UPLC-PDA technology could quickly, scientifically and accurately distinguish rhubarb of different origins. The preliminary evaluation of the rhubarb in different years and a basis for distinguishing the source of rhubarb was also provided.