Abstract: A fingerprint chromatogram of the aqueous extract of Semen Armeniacae Amarae (bitter almond) was established using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and a reference was provided for the quality control of Semen Armeniacae Amarae by comparing the fingerprint chromatograms between raw and blanched almonds. A Kinetex C18(2.6 μm, 100 mm×4.6 mm) column was used, and the gradient elution was performed with acetonitrile-water as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.6 mL·min-1, detection wavelength 210 nm, column temperature 20 ℃, and injection volume 10 μL. There were 7 common peaks in 15 batches of Semen Armeniacae Amarae from various habitats, and the sum of the peak areas was more than 90% of the total peak area. Additionally, the medicinal materials of the examined samples were compared in terms of similarity, and the HPLC fingerprint chromatogram method of the aqueous extract of Semen Armeniacae Amarae was established. After comparing the fingerprint chromatogram between raw and blanched almonds, we found that there were no peaks 1, 3, and 7 in the latter, and the content of amygdalin in blanched almonds was significantly higher than that in raw almonds. The fingerprint chromatogram method established in this study is feasible and can provide a reference for the quality control of Semen Armeniacae Amarae medicine and preparation of compounds containing Semen Armeniacae Amarae.

Key words: Semen Armeniacae Amarae, blanched almond, high performance liquid chromatography, fingerprint chromatogram