Analysis of Fatty Oil in Semen Ziziphi Spinosae by Capillary Gas Chromatography

A simple and fast capillary gas chromatographic (CGC) method with flame ionization detection is developed for the analysis of fatty oil in Semen Ziziphi Spinosae. After methyl-esterification, eight components are identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The derivatization condition is investigated in order to validate this method. Palmitic acid and stearic acid are quantitated simultaneously. The limits of detection are 5.024 microg/mL for palmitic acid and 6.957 microg/mL for stearic acid, respectively. The limits of quantitation are 16.76 microg/mL for palmitic acid and 23.19 microg/mL for stearic acid, respectively. The percent recoveries of palmitic and stearic acid are 97.4% and 96.6%. CGC is shown to be a quick and informative tool for the analysis of fatty oil in Semen Ziziphi Spinosae.