Objective: To establish a method for the determination of patchouli alcohol in Kangganzhibao Mixture by capillary gas chromatography

and develop and improve the quality standards of this mixture. Method: Samples were pretreated with petroleum ether (30-60℃). Chromatographic condition was as follows:HP-5 capillary column (0.25 mm×0.25 μm×30 m)

FID detector and 1 177 injector;the column temperature was controlled by programming:the initial temperature was set at 180℃ for 10 min

and then rose up (5℃·min-1) to 230℃ for 3 min;the detector and injector temperature were set at 280℃;split ratio was 37:1;the flow rate of nitrogen was 1 mL·min-1 and the injection volume was 1 μL;internal standard was n-octadecane;and the number of theoretical plates was not less than 50 000 (calculated by patchouli alcohol). Result: Patchouli alcohol was linear in the range of 0.012-0.072 μg (Y=294X+12.8) (r=0.999 6). The average recovery was 98.45% with RSD 1.09% (n=6). Conclusion: The method is stable and reliable with good repetition

which can be used as one of the quality control methods for Kangganzhibao Mixture.