Simple HPLC-UV determination of nucleosides and its application to the authentication of Cordyceps and its allies.

A simple HPLC-UV method combined with a simple extraction procedure of nucleosides (adenosine, cordycepin, 2'-deoxyadenosine, guanosine and uridine) was developed and applied to the authentication of Cordyceps and its allies. The separation was performed on a C(18) column by isocratic elution with acetonitrile-water, and UV detection at 260 nm. The amounts of adenosine, cordycepin, 2'-deoxyadenosine, guanosine and uridine in Cordyceps were 0.28-14.15, 0.006-6.36, 0.01-0.14, 0.68-14.79 and 0.19-20.29 mg/g, respectively. Among the nucleosides studied, cordycepin was characteristically included in Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link. (CM), which is one of key Cordyceps allies, and might be a good marker for authenticating CM. The ratio of nucleosides to adenosine contents in Cordyceps seemed to be a useful marker for authentication and quality control of Cordyceps.