On-line continuous sampling dynamic microwave-assisted extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatographic separation for the determination of lignans in Wuweizi and naphthoquinones in Zicao.

The on-line continuous sampling dynamic microwave-assisted extraction (on-line CSDMAE) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatographic separation and determination of the lignans in Wuweizi and naphthoquinones in Zicao was developed. The extraction, separation and determination of target analytes were simultaneously carried out. The experimental parameters, including type of extraction solvent, microwave extraction power, solvent flow rate, amount of sample and particle size of the sample, were evaluated by the univariate method and orthogonal screening. The detection limits for schisandrin A, schisantherin A, deoxyschizandrin, shikonin and β,β'-dimethylacrylshikonin are 0.86, 0.90, 0.27, 0.42 and 0.92 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Compared with the conventional extraction methods, such as off-line continuous microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction and Soxhlet extraction, the proposed method is quicker and more effective.