Continuous Chromatography System with Six-Zone and Eighteen-Column Dynamic Tandem Connection Technique for the Enrichment of Total Flavonoids from Epimedium Koreanum Nakai

Natural flavonoids have been shown to have many pharmacological activities. Efficient, continuous and low-cost enrichment of total flavonoids from complex natural products is greatly needed at the moment. In this study, a new continuous chromatography system (CCS) with six-zone and eighteen-column dynamic tandem connection technique was developed and used to enrich total flavonoids from Epimedium koreanum Nakai (EKN). The 18 columns of the device were divided into six zones by a logic control valve (each zone is composed of 3 columns in dynamic tandem) for continuous automatic separation and enrichment of total flavonoids. The CCS separation conditions were established based on a single-column chromatography and theoretical calculation model of the CCS. Using the self-designed device and the developed method, 59.89±0.39 g of total flavonoids were isolated from 2.0 kg of EKN. Remarkable, the total content of 18 types of flavonoids in the enriched samples increased from 2.84±0.07 to 88.29±0.23%, and the total recovery rate was 92.20±0.38%. In addition, in the whole operation process, this system effectively improved the separation efficiency and reduced the consumption of mobile phase. In summary, the developed device and method efficiently and economically enriched high-content total flavonoids from EKN, and has a wide application prospect, especially for the enrichment of total flavonoids from natural product.