Photoreactivity of anthraquinones for the analysis of ginsenosides using photoreduction fluorescence detection-HPLC

The photoreactivity of twelve anthraquinone derivatives was examined to evaluate its usefulness as a photo-reagent for the analysis of ginsenosides using photoreduction fluorescence (PRF) detection method. Among the tested compounds, 2-tert-butylanthraquinone (TBAQ), 2-chloroanthraquinone (CAQ) and anthraquinone (AQ) showed good characteristics as photoreagents. The detection limits of ginsenoside Rg1 by PRF-HPLC method using TBAQ, CAQ or AQ as a photo-reagent were found to be ca. 35 ng, 50 ng and 50 ng, respectively.