Computer-aided target optimization for traditional Chinese medicine by ultra-performance liquid chromatography

A new strategy of target optimization was developed for resolving the separation problems of complex samples. Computer-aided target optimization for separation of complex samples by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was studied. Taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (Rhizoma Coptidis) as an example, separation conditions of target compounds – overlapping peaks and all components – were optimized based on moved overlapping separation ranging map (OSRM) and artificially intervention. After calculating retention parameters and peak shape parameters of the target peaks, the optimization was operated in an emulational picture through the computer without further experiments. The emulational chromatogram was proved to be authentic by the estimated values, which were almost identical to experimental results. The method was very helpful for obtaining the satisfied separation conditions of target compounds rapidly and efficiently.