Fast Analysis of Zanthoxylum nitidum Using Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-18 Columns
This document presents a method for the analysis of nitidine chloride in Zanthoxylum nitidum, a traditional Chinese medicine. The method was successfully transferred from a traditional 5 µm column to Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 columns, significantly reducing analysis time while maintaining high resolution.
The study compares three column configurations: a standard 4.6 x 150 mm, 5 µm column, a 4.6 x 75 mm, 2.7 µm Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column, and a 4.6 x 50 mm, 2.7 µm Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column. Results show that the Poroshell 120 columns allow for faster analysis times (down to below 4 minutes) with backpressures compatible with traditional HPLC instruments (up to 400 bar).
| Column Type | Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 |
|---|---|
| Particle Size | 2.7 µm |
| Mobile Phase A | 0.1% formic acid-triethylamine (pH = 4.5) |
| Mobile Phase B | acetonitrile |
| Detector Wavelength | 273 nm |
| Column Temperature | 30°C |
| Maximum Pressure | 600 bar |
The analysis time fell to approximately one-tenth of the original analysis time, reaching below 4 minutes.
Yes, the backpressure is below 400 bar, allowing it to be run on a traditional HPLC instrument.
The major active component analyzed is nitidine chloride.