Quick method for separating target compounds from the bark of Maqian (Zanthoxylum myriacanthum var. pubescens) by high-performance countercurrent chromatography.

Choosing a suitable solvent system for a countercurrent chromatography separation presents a challenge for many researchers. In this study, we introduce a quick method of separating a target compound from the bark of Zanthoxylum myriacanthum var. pubescens by countercurrent chromatography. This method relies on the thin-layer chromatography based generally useful estimation of solvent systems. This paper will present how to quickly choose a suitable solvent system with a thin-layer chromatography based generally useful estimation of solvent systems working chart. O-Methyltembamide (1) was enriched by countercurrent chromatography using n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (6:4:6:4) as the solvent system. Further purification was achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography with purities of 98.2% from Z. myriacanthum var. pubescens bark.