Objective: To develop an HPLC-ELSD method for the determination of diosgenin in Dioscorea nipponica and comparison of content by ELSD and DAD. Method: An Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18(4.6 mm×150 mm

5 μm) was used with the mobile phase of methanol-water(95 ∶5) at 40 ℃. Evaporated light scattering detector was used. The drift tube temperature was at 70 ℃ and the pressure of nebulizing gas was 367.5 Pa

gain was 7

filter was 1.The injected volume was 10 μL. Result: The linear calibration curve was obtained in the ranges of 2.60-20.8 μg for diosgenin(r=0.999 94). The average recovery was 97.3% with RSD of 1.94%. Conclusion: This method is simple

sensitive and accurate. It can be used for the quality control of D. nipponica Makino. This method achieves more flat baseline

higher sensitivity

better resolution and higher content than DAD.