Research on HPLC and UPLC-Q-TOF for the Determination of Abietic Acid in Chenxiang Huazhi Pills

OBJECTIVE To establish HPLC and UPLC-Q-TOF identification determination methods for abietic acid, an illegal additive in Chenxiang Huazhi pills. METHODS HPLC was used to determine the illicit presence of abietic acid in Chenxianghuazhi Pills. The positive results were verified by UPLC-Q-TOF. RESULTS The concentration of abietic acid in the range of 1.40-21.03 μg·mL^-1 showed a good linear relationship with the peak area integral value. The precision RSD was 0.2%, the sample recovery rate was 99.5%, and the RSD was 1.7%. The obtained retention time of HPLC, the maximum absorption wavelength, mother ion (m/z 303.23), fragment ions (m/z 285.22, 257.22, 149.13, 123.11), the identification of abietic acid was performed in 13 batches Chenxiang Huazhi pills. It showed that 10 samples were added the substance containing abietic acid. CONCLUSION The method is simple, accurate, rapid, and sensitive, which is helpful for the detection of abietic acid in Chenxiang Huazhi pills. For the quality control of Chenxiang Huazhi Pills, it is recommended to add the inspection item for illegal addition of abietic acid.