Determination of total saponins in Semen Zizyphi Spinosae(SZS) extracts by colorimetric analysis

Objective To develop a colorimetric analysis method for the quantitative determination of total saponins in SZS extracts and to offer the evidence for the quality control of SZS preparation.Methods Use vanillin-CH 3COOH-HCLO 4 as the chromogenic reagent and detect at the wavelength of the maximum absorption 592 nm.Test separately the influences of color reaction by the quantity of HClO 4,the heating temperature and the hours of heating.Choose the best chromogenic preparation to determine the contents of the samples.Results Jujuboside A showed a good linear relationship at a range of 0.184～1.051 mg/ml.The RSD of the precision and recoveries were 1.79% and 2.10% respectively.All the indexes of the methodological investigations meet the requirements.Conclusion The methods were simple and accurate.There were excellent stability and repeatability.