Analysis of ephedrine in ephedra callus by acetonitrile modified capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple method has been developed for the quantitative determination of ephedrine in ephedra callus. The dependence of effective mobility of ephedrine on pH was investigated, and a simulated equation was obtained. The separation was performed in an uncoated capillary and detected at 185 nm. A new Tris–NaOH–H₃PO₄ run buffer was used and the pH was adjusted to 3.20. To increase the solubility of hydrophobic analytes and improve the separation efficiency, 15% acetonitrile was used in the buffer as a modifier. The content of ephedrine in an ephedra callus sample and an ephedra herba sample were determined with this method, and the result was satisfactory.