Optimization of liquid chromatographic method for the separation of nine hydrophilic and hydrophobic components in Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen) using microemulsion as eluent

In this study, we have proposed and developed a novel, environmental-friendly and simple method for separation of nine hydrophilic and hydrophobic components in Danshen using microemulsion liquid chromatography. The proposed method was optimized via the preliminary screening experiment and the experimental design. The following factors were investigated in preliminary screening experiment: pH of mobile phase, column type, the nature of surfactant, the nature of oil phase and additives. In order to simultaneously optimize resolution and analysis time, the chromatographic optimization function (COF) was adopted to evaluate chromatograms. The central composite design (CCD) was used to create the matrix of experiments for mapping the chromatographic response surface. Finally, the COF values were fitted into a second order polynomial model and the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to find the optimal eluent constituents. The reliability of the established model was confirmed by the good agreement obtained between experimental data and predictive values. Based on the results from the preliminary screening experiment and the CCD optimization, the optimal mobile phase was identified as a solution consisting of 6.68% (w/w) polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij35), 0.84% (w/w) cyclohexane, 6.92% (w/w) n-butanol, 85.56% (w/w) phosphate buffer (pH 6.60) and 8 mM cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB).