Validated binary high-performance thin-layer chromatographic fingerprints of polyphenolics for distinguishing...

Salvia (sage) is the largest plant genus in the family Lamiaceae, embracing ca. 900 species. There is a growing interest in investigating chemical contents of different Salvia species, as some of them have been reported to exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activity. In this paper, conjugated (i.e., binary) chromatographic fingerprints have been introduced for the twenty Salvia species that are grown and cultivated in Poland. Apart from videoscans traditionally used for a comparison of the high-performance thin-layer chromatography fingerprints, digital scanning profiles and images obtained with use of the image processing program have also been employed. It is the first time that binary chromatographic fingerprints are used for the investigation of chemical contents of the Salvia species. The proposed procedure is rapid when compared with the similar ones presented in the literature, and moreover, it is easy to handle. The proposed method offers a possibility to discern the investigated species. It can be applied not only for chemotaxonomic purposes but also for finding new plant species that can be used as medical herbs (as it has been proposed, with S. triloba having a similar profile to S. officinalis). Validation of the method reveals that it is specific, reproducible, precise, and robust.