New method for high-performance liquid chromatographic separation and fluorescence detection of ginsenosides

A novel pre-column derivatization method for the quantitative determination of ginsenosides by HPLC with fluorescence detection was established. The double bond at the C₂₄–C₂₅ position of ginsenoside was converted into an aldehyde group by means of ozonolysis. Then the aldehyde group reacts with FMOC-hydrazine forming the ginsenoside FMOC-hydrazone. The derivatized products were separated by RP-HPLC with gradient elution. The detection limits of ginsenosides Rg₁ and Rb₁ were 2.0 ng (about 2.5 pmol) and 1.0 ng (about 0.9 pmol), respectively. This method can be used for all ginsenosides having the C₂₄–C₂₅ double bond.