Simultaneous Quantification of Main Saponins in by HPLC-PDA/ELSD Using the Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by Single-Marker Method.

: The Quantitative Analysis of Multi-components by Single-marker (QAMS) method has been developed as an alternative to the External Standards Method (ESM) for the quality control of medicinal herbs. : In this study, QAMS was developed to determine saponins in the raw materials of using HPLC-PDA/ELSD. : The method was developed and validated. The relative conversion factors F were calculated based on the linear regression for HPLC-PDA and the logarithm equation for HPLC-ELSD. The Standard Method Difference (SMD) was determined to indicate the difference in the results of QAMS and EMS. : Relative conversion factors (F) were determined for each detector to quantify five saponins (ginsenoside Rb, Rd, Rg, majnoside R2, and vina-ginsenoside R2) in VG root. The F values were calculated based on the ratio of the slopes of the regression equations of a single standard and an external standard. For HPLC-PDA, G-Rb1 was used as a single standard with the F values of 1.00 (G-Rb), 1.08 (G-Rd), 1.32 (G-Rg), and 0.04 (M-R2). For HPLC-ELSD, G-Rb was used for determining the content of G-Rg and G-Rb with the F values of 1.00 (G-Rb) and 0.95 (G-Rg), while M-R2 was used for quantitating M-R2 and V-R2 with F of 1.00 (M-R2) and 1.05 (V-R2). An SMD value less than 5.00% confirms the close alignment of the QAMS method with ESM. : The QAMS method proved to be a feasible and promising method for the quality control of .