Analysis of volatile fractions of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) baill. using GC-MS and chemometric resolution

The two‐dimensional data obtained from GC‐MS has been used qualitatively and quantitatively to determine the components of the volatile fractions of Schisandra chinensis obtained by six different extraction methods. Sub‐window factor analysis (SFA) was employed to confirm the identities of components determined in different samples. With the help of SFA, and other chemometric techniques, peak purity in the chromatograms was determined, and overlapping peaks were resolved to yield a pure chromatographic profile and mass spectrum for each component. It is demonstrated that the accuracy of qualitative and quantitative analysis may be greatly enhanced using chemometric resolution methods, such methods being particularly valuable with respect to the analysis of complex samples such as traditional Chinese medicines. It is further demonstrated that different extraction methods give rise to volatile fractions of S. chinensis which differ qualitatively and quantitatively in their composition. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.