Rational development of a selection model for solvent gradients in single-step separation of ginsenosides from Panax ginseng using high-speed counter-current chromatography.

A new model of solvent gradients selection was rationally developed for the preparative separation of target compounds. The solvent gradients were selected based on a three-stage screening process where stationary phase retention was ensured by introducing a new parameter termed as the phase ratio. The phase ratio was calculated after mixing the upper phase of a solvent system with the lower phase of a different solvent system (1:1, v/v). The developed model was applied to the one-step separation of eight ginsenosides from Panax ginseng. Three gradients were selected on the basis of new model and eight ginsenosides, Rb(1), Rb(2), Rc, Rd, Re, Rg(1), Rf, and Rh(1), were efficiently separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detector. The structures of all compounds were characterized by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.