Separation of five naphtho-γ-pyrones from Pleurotus ostreatus by high-speed countercurrent chromatography

A method to optimize a high-speed countercurrent chromatography solvent system from many possible solvent systems was guided by average polarity and K values of crude samples, which was successfully applied in separation of the naphtho-γ-pyrones. This method expanded the scope of spectrophotometer application in the solvent systems selection, and showed the merits of simplicity, rapidity, and low reagent consumption. As a consequence of utilizing the method, an efficient separation procedure was established, and two groups of naphtho-γ-pyrone isomers (fonsecinone B and asperpyrone F; asperpyrone C, fonsecinone A, and aurasperone A) were obtained from Pleurotus ostreatus by high-speed countercurrent chromatography with a solvent system composed of petroleum ether/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (5:5:5:5, v/v). The results indicate that high-speed countercurrent chromatography could be a powerful technology for separation isomers and analogues, and the method guided by average polarity and K values of crude samples is feasible to optimize solvent system.