One-step rapid determination and purification of puerarin from Radix puerariae by n-octylamine-modified poly(methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith

n-Octylamine-modified poly(methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monoliths were prepared for rapid screening, determination and one-step purification of puerarin from Radix puerariae (a crude extract of the root of Pueraria lobata). The modified monolith showed a specific surface area of 17.8 m2 g−1, an average pore size of 0.76 μm and a total porosity of 60.8%. Fast separation of R. puerariae crude extract was achieved within 5 min at a flow velocity of 722 cm h−1 resulting in a puerarin purity of 97%, with a recovery of 85%. This demonstrates the potential of n-octylamine-modified poly(methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith for the rapid analysis and separation of isoflavonoids. Preparative scale sample loading (12 mg in 2 mL) resulted in a purity of 95%, and a recovery of about 69%. HPLC, FTIR, MS and 1H NMR spectroscopy were used for the characterization and quantification of puerarin in isolated fraction.