HPLC Separation and Quantitative Determination of Biflavones in Leaves from Ginkgo biloba

An HPLC method for separation and quantitative determination of biflavones in crude leaf extracts from GINKGO BILOBA L. is described. A system using a Lichrosorb(R)-Diol column and the ternary elution system: hexane-chloroform-tetrahydrofuran, was suitable for separation of sciadopitysin, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin and bilobetin. The biflavones were detected at 330 nm; their calibration curves were established and their response factors were calculated using acacetin as internal standard. This method was used for the quantitative determination of the biflavones in crude leaf extracts; the seasonal variations of the biflavone content were studied and showed a higher amount in autumn leaves.