| Abstract: | Droplet counter-current chromatography (DCCC.) has been used for the preparative scale separation of pure constituents from crude medicinal plant extracts. Xanthones and the bitter principles have been isolated from North-American Gentiana species. From a crude extract of Ajuga pyramidalis L . (Labiatae), several hundred mg of iridoid glycosides were obtained within eight hours. The total volume of mobile phase employed for the elution was less than 150 ml. All the separations were achieved far more readily than by conventional chromatography. In addition, some general rules for solvent system selection are proposed. |
