Extraction and Determination of beta-Sitosterol from Salicornia herbacea L. Using Monolithic Cartridge

A short ionic liquids-based monolithic cartridge was prepared and used as the selective extraction sorbent. Characteristic and evaluation are investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and a new approach was developed for the extraction and determination of beta-sitosterol from Salicornia herbacea L. using the ionic liquids-based monolithic cartridge. Chromatographic analysis was conducted on a C-18 column with UV detection at 210 nm, and an eluting solution consisting of acetonitrile-water (60/40, v/v) was used as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min(-1). The linearity was confirmed in the concentration range of 0.50-100.00 mu g mL(-1), with RSDs within 4.20%, and a recovery of beta-sitosterol ranging from 97.20 to 102.93%. This method effectively removed the impurities without any tedious pretreatment, and it provided a fast, economic and effective way to assay trace drugs from natural plants.