A new HPLC-method for separation and quantitative determination of ginsenosides in Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium and in pharmaceutical drug preparations is elaborated. A reversedphase-system with pBondapak C18 column (3.9 mm I. D . x 30 cm) using acetonitrile-water (30:70) 2 ml/min and acetonitrile-water (18:82) 4 ml/min is suitable for the base-line separation of Rb,, Rbz, Rc, Rd, Rf, R k , respectively Re, Rg, in 30 minutes. The ginsenosides are directly detected at 203 nm (without derivatization) with the LC-55 or LC-75 spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer) at 100 % transmission. Detection limit is 300 ng at a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:l.The calibration curve of each ginsenoside has a correlation coefficient very near to 1. Relative standard deviation for quantitative determinations depends upon the amount of ginsenosides and is approximately I % for ginsenoside contents of 1 %. This method is adaptable for routine analysis in quality control laboratories.

The roots of PANAX GINSENG C. A. Meyer contain a relatively high percentage of ginsenosides from their first year of life onwards. Since the major development of weight of roots occurs between the 4th and 5th year of life, it has been established that the highest yield of ginsenosides and therefore the best time for harvesting the roots is at the end of the summer of the 5th year.

In order to evaluate the composition of active constituents in phytopharmaceutical preparations, valid analytical methods are required. For the determination of the active terpene constituents of Ginkgo biloba (the ginkgolides and bilobalide), a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method has been developed using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) in the negative ion mode. This detection mode was found to be much more sensitive and selective compared to UV; indeed the ginkgo terpene trilactones lack strong UV chromophores and flavonoids interfere with their UV detection. LC-APCI/MS detection allowed a considerable reduction in analysis time when compared to LC-UV, because LC resolution was only needed between the pair of isomers ginkgolide B and ginkgolide J. All compounds were selectively detected by single ion monitoring of their specific deprotonated molecules [M-H]-. The samples were directly injected without pre-purification, and a fast gradient was applied, reducing the total time of analysis to 14 min. With this method, the ginkgo terpene trilactones were detected on-line in the picogram range. Several commercial ginkgo preparations on the Swiss market were analysed, and the ginkgolide and bilobalide contents were evaluated using the method described.

A new method for separation and quantitative determination of ginsenosides Rg,, Rf, Rg, and Re in Panax ginseng, .Panax quinquefoliurn and in pharmaceutical drug preparations with HPLC was elaborated. A pPorasil column using n-heptane-n-butanol-acetonitril-water (1000:446:132:36) as mobile phase was employed. The ginsenosides were separated in 40 min.

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