Objective:To develop identification and assay methods of pinecone. Method: Pharmacognostic studies

extract mensuration

ash determination

moisture measuring method

and the bioactive constituents were analyzed by TLC and HPLC. In the HPLC method

isopimaric acid was separated on phenomenex Gemini-NX C18 110A column(4.6 mm×250 mm

5 μm) with methanol-2% acetic acid(90∶10) as the mobile phase with flow rate of 0.9 mL·min-1. The temperature of column was kept at 25 ℃. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. Result: The content of total ash

acid-insoluble ash

and moisture of 12 samples from different origins were determined. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of isopimaric acid by TLC and HPLC were preformed respectively. Quality specification of pinecone established through the experimental study:the moisture content less than 12%

total ash less than 1.3%

acid-insoluble ash less than 0.3%

extract not lower than 3.9%

isopimaric acid content not lower than 0.19%. Conclusion: The established method can be used for the quality specification of pinecone.