[Determination of artemisinic acid in Artemisia annua at different growth stages based on spot area].

Objective: Based on the important medicinal applications of artemisinic acid and the superiority of Thin Layer Chromagraphy (TLC), the spot area method of TLC was presented to determine the content changes of artemisinic acid of Artemisia annua at different growing stages.

Methods: The separation conditions including chromatographic solutions and chromogenic agent were optimized. The detection limit and the linear concentration range were analyzed.