The rapid determination of artemisinin by post-column derivatization high-performance liquid chromatography using matrix solid-phase dispersion method

Artemisinin (an antimalaric compound) is isolated as the active compound of the medicinal plant Artemisia annua L. A simple, rapid, and high-efficient method of extraction is developed, in which it is extracted by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and directly analyzed by post-column derivatization high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The quantitation results from the MSPD method are compared with two conventional liquid solvent extraction processes, Soxhlet and ultrasonic wave by F-test, and the result indicates no significant difference. The production rate of Artemisinin during wild plant growth (tested over two years, acquired from Yunnan, provincial Yuan Yan country) is determined. The recovery range of determination is 88.1-91.2%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is 4.55-6.43%. The limits of detection are 0.1 microg/mL, and the limits of quantitation are 0.5 microg/mL.