Validation of a liquid chromatography ionspray mass spectrometry method for the analysis of flavanones, flavones and flavonols

The application of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with a TurboIonspray (TIS) interface was investigated as a new method for the analysis of flavonoids. Eleven compounds belonging to three different classes of flavonoids were studied: eriocitrin, neoeriocitrin, naringin, narirutin, hesperidin, neohesperidin (flavanone glycosides), quercetin, kaempferol, galangin (flavonol aglycones), chrysin, apigenin (flavone aglycones). Chromatographic separations were performed under reversed-phase conditions using a C18 narrow-bore LC column; a mixture of an aqueous solution of formic acid (pH 2.4) and acetonitrile was used as the mobile phase. Isocratic elution was operated in the case of flavanones, whereas gradient elution was used for the simultaneous separation of flavones and flavonols. The adaptability of TIS to high flow applications allows the use of LC eluent flow rates at 200 μL/min without post-column splitting. Qualitative analysis was performed in negative-ion (NI) full-scan mode, whereas response linearity, detection limits and precision of the method were studied under NI selected ion monitoring (SIM) conditions. Characterization of isomers differing in the glycosylation was found to be possible on the basis of different mass spectra. Detection limits in the low-ng range (0.08-0.4 ng) were found, about twenty-fold lower than those reported previously. The method was applied to identify and determine the content of flavonoids in an orange juice sample. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of an efficient strategy based on MAE,HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS and HSCCC for the rapid extraction,identification, separation and purification of flavonoids from Fructus Aurantii Immaturus

This study presents an efficient strategy based on microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE), HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) for the rapid extraction, identification, separation and purification of active components from the traditional Chinese medicine Fructus Aurantii Immaturus. An LC‐DAD‐MS/MS method was applied for the screening and structural identification of main components in crude extract, and five components were preliminarily identified as neoeriocitrin, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin according to their UV and mass spectra. An efficient MAE method for the extraction of the three most abundant components (narirutin, naringin and neohesperidin) was optimized by the combination of univariate and multivariate approaches. The crude extract was then separated and purified by HSCCC and a total of 61.6 mg of narirutin, 207.3 mg of naringin and 159.5 mg of neohesperidin at high purities of 98.1, 97.2 and 99.5%, respectively, were obtained from 1.42 g of crude extract. The recoveries of these compounds were 86, 93 and 89%, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid Chromatography for Separation and Quantitative Determination of Adrenergic Amines and Flavonoids from Poncirus trifoliatus Raf. Fruits at Different Stages of Growth

The fruits of Poncirus trifoliatus Raf. (Rutaceae) have been used against allergic diseases for generations and still occupy an important place in traditional oriental medicine. They have also been used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. Chemical analysis of extracts of Poncirus trifoliatus Raf. fruit at different stages of maturation revealed variations in the concentrations of flavonoids present. Fourteen flavonoids (neoeriocitrin, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, neoponcirin, poncirin, naringenin, hesperetin, sinensetin, nobiletin, heptamethoxyflavone, 5-O-demethylnobiletin, and tangeretin) and five amines (synephrine, octopamine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, and tyramine) in extracts from the fruit of Poncirus trifoliatus Raf. were analyzed by HPLC with a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. The concentrations of the four flavonoids naringin, poncirin, narirutin, and neoponcirin was maximum during the first stage of growth and gradually decreased until the fruits were fully developed. The paper also discusses the anatomical variations observed at different stages of development of the fruit.     

Characterization of fifty-one flavonoids in a Chinese herbal prescription Longdan Xiegan Decoction by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and photodiode array detection

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry and photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n)) was developed to identify and characterize the flavonoids in a Chinese formulated preparation, Longdan Xiegan Decoction (LXD). In total, fifty-one flavonoids (27 flavones, 10 flavanones, 7 chalcones, 5 flavonols and 2 isoflavones) were characterized. Eighteen compounds among them including a newly detected flavonoid, naringin, from the ingredient herbs, were unambiguously determined by comparing the retention times (t(R)), UV spectral data and mass fragmentation behaviors with those of the reference compounds. Another thirty-three compounds were tentatively identified by referencing to the reported data of their UV and MS spectra. The ESI-MS/MS fragmentation behavior of flavones (OMe-substituted, O-glycosides, C-glycosides), chalcones, flavonols and their appropriate characteristic pathways were proposed. In negative ion ESI-MS all the flavonoids yielded prominent [M--H](-) ions in the first order mass spectra. Fragmentation with a loss of mass of 15 Da (CH(3)), 18 Da (H(2)O), 28 Da (CO), 44 Da (CO(2)), 56 Da (2CO) and the residues of glucose and glucuronic acid observed in the MS/MS spectra were useful for aiding the structural identification of the flavonoids investigated.     

Preconcentration at a carbon-paste electrode and determination by adsorptive-stripping voltammetry of rutin and other flavonoids

The non-Faradaic preconcentration behaviour of nine flavonoids (six flavones: fisetin, galangin, morin, quercetin, rhamnetin, rutin, and three flavanones: hesperidin, hesperitin, naringin) at a carbon-paste (nujol/graphite) electrode and the factors affecting it (pH, accumulation potential, presence of various surfactants) for their subsequent differential pulse voltammetric determination are examined. All flavones tested are readily accumulated on the carbon paste electrode resulting in a considerable signal enhancement making determinations feasible down to 10⁻⁸ − 10⁻⁷ M after preconcentration for 1–4 min. Flavanones are not preconcentrated so their lower determination limits are of the order of 10^-6 M. A simple voltammetric procedure for the determination of rutin in a multivitamin preparation is presented.     

Determination of diastereomerization barrier of some flavanones by high-performance liquid chromatography methods

The rate constants and activation energy barriers DeltaG# of diastereomerization reaction of flavanones: naringin, narirutin, hesperidin and neohesperidin were determined. The stopped-flow HPLC (SFM-HPLC), dynamic HPLC (D-HPLC) and enantioselective HPLC combined with the classical kinetic method were applied for determination of these parameters. It was found that the rate constants of diastereomerization were about eight times higher for naringin and narirutin (1.9 x 10(-5) s(-1)) than for hesperidin and neohesperidin (2.4 x 10(-6) s(-1)). No significant differences in the rate of diastereomerization were found between neohesperidosides and corresponding rutinosides.     

Influence of extraction methods on stability of flavonoids

The LC-MS/MS was applied for the determination of flavonoids' stability under four types of solvent extraction methods (reflux heating, sonication, maceration and microwave) from maize samples. The 11 flavonoids belong to different groups: flavonols (kaempferol, myricetin, rhamnetin, quercetin, rutin), flavanones (naringenin, naringin, hesperedin), flavones (apigenin, luteolin), isoflavones (genistein) were studied. The effect of the degradation of flavonoids depended on extraction mode and chemical structure. The smallest decomposition was observed by heated reflux extraction procedure within 30 min in water bath and by microwave assisted extraction under 160 W during 1 min. The decomposition for flavonoids depends on number of substituents in flavonoid molecule. The most unstable compound (recovery below 50%) in tested condition was myricetin. The higher number of hydroxyl groups promote degradation of flavonoids, whereas sugar moiety and methoxyl groups protect flavonoids of degradation during microwave and ultrasonic assisted extraction.     

固相萃取-高效液相色谱测定饲料中新橙皮苷二氢查耳酮和柚皮苷二氢查耳酮

建立了固相萃取-高效液相色谱检测饲料中新橙皮苷二氢查耳酮（NHDC）和柚皮苷二氢查耳酮（Naringin DC）的方法。采用纯甲醇溶液进行超声辅助萃取样品，经HLB固相萃取柱净化后在XB-C₁₈（150 mm×4.6 mm，5 μm）色谱柱上分离，用甲醇/水作为流动相进行梯度洗脱，光电二极管阵列检测器进行检测。结果表明，新橙皮苷二氢查耳酮和柚皮苷二氢查耳酮在0.2~49.0 mg/L范围内具有良好的线性关系，相关系数均>0.999，定量限分别为0.02和0.01 mg/kg。日内和日间精密度分别为0.7%~4.1%和0.9%~6.0%。方法的加标回收率为86.2%~105.0%，相对标准偏差（RSDs）为1.0%~6.3%（n=3）。该方法能有效降低饲料基体成分的干扰，灵敏度高，重现性好，适用于饲料中新橙皮苷二氢查耳酮和柚皮苷二氢查耳酮的定量检测。     

基于主成分分析的骨碎补药材乙醇和环己烷提取物的高效液相色谱指纹图谱及指标成分的定量分析

建立了骨碎补药材乙醇和环己烷提取物的高效液相色谱(HPLC)指纹图谱,并利用主成分分析法(PCA)对指纹图谱进行统计分析,以各主要色谱峰的保留时间和峰面积为变量得到score图和loading图。在score图和loading图中,骨碎补的正品和非正品可明显区分,且揭示出对此区分贡献最大的4个潜在指标成分,其中已知成分为柚皮苷、新北美圣草苷和E-4-O-β-D-葡萄糖酰咖啡酸。同时测定了这3种成分在19批正品和非正品骨碎补药材中的含量,其中10批骨碎补药材正品中3种成分的含量为: 柚皮苷6.36～10.1 mg/g,新北美圣草苷5.14～9.21 mg/g,E-4-O-β-D-葡萄糖酰咖啡酸1.87～3.19 mg/g。该方法更全面地反映了药材的化学成分信息,并能从定性和定量两方面控制骨碎补药材的内在质量。     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric fragmentation study of flavonoids as their trimethylsilyl derivatives: analysis of flavonoids, sugars, carboxylic and amino acids in model systems and in citrus fruits

The fragmentation patterns and quantitation possibilities of three anthocyanidins (pelargonidin, cyanidin, malvidin), one flavonol (quercetin), two flavones (apigenin, luteolin) and two flavanones (naringenin, hesperetin) have been investigated as trimethylsilyl and as trimethylsilyl (oxime) derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results proved that anthocyanidins and flavanones form trimethylsilyl (oximes), while flavonol and flavones provide simple trimethylsilyl derivatives. In all cases, characteristic fragments of high masses are formed proper for quantitation purposes. Hydrolysis conditions for naringin, hesperidin and rutin have been optimized, resulting in the quantitative release of naringenin, hesperetin and quercetin together with their corresponding saccharides. These basic studies made possible the identification and quantification of the flavonoid, carboxylic-/amino acid and sugar constituents of citrus fruit juices and albedos, without any extraction/enrichment procedure. In total 33 compounds have been determined in hydrolyzed samples, such as 2 flavonoids (naringenin and hesperetin), 6 phenolic acids (trimethoxybenzoic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, quinic, chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids), 3 aliphatic carboxylic acids (levulinic, malic, citric acids), phosphoric acid, 4 amino acids (aspartic, glutamic acids, alanine, proline), 9 monosaccharides (xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, fucose, fructose, galactose, glucose, galacturonic acid, sedoheptulose), inositol, sugarphosphate, 5 disaccharides and tocopherol. Measurements were carried out as the trimethylsilyl (oxime) ether/ester derivatives of constituents, in the concentration range of 2 x 10(-3) to 49.9%. Identification level of samples varied between 26.4 and 77.5%, expressed in dry matter content of juices and albedos.     

HPLC Fingerprint with Multi-components Analysis for Quality Consistency Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Si-Mo-Tang Oral Liquid Preparation

Si-Mo-Tang(SMT) oral liquid preparation, a traditional Chinese medicine, was prepared from four crude herbal drugs, Fructus Aurantii Submaturus, Radix Aucklandiae, Semen Arecae and Radix Linderae Aggregatae. A combinative method using HPLC fingerprint and quantitative analysis was developed and validated for quality consistency evaluation of SMT. Individual HPLC chromatograms were evaluated against the mean chromatogram generated via a similarity evaluation computer program. Data from chromatographic fingerprints were also processed with principal component analysis(PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA). Additionally, six components (naringin, isonaringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, norisoboldine and potassium sorbate) in SMT were simultaneously determined to interpret the quality consistency. For fingerprint analysis, 20 peaks were selected as the characteristic peaks to evaluate the similarities of 26 SMT collected from different manufacturers. Among the 20 characteristic peaks, 10 peaks were assigned to be naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, isonaringin, neoeriocitrin, tangeretin, nobiletin, norisoboldine, 5-(ethoxymethyl)furan-2-carbaldehyde and potassium sorbate, respectively. The results of similarity analysis, PCA and HCA, indicate that the samples from different manufacturers were consistent with each other in composition. The results from the quantitative data show that the contents of six compounds were significantly different in SMT oral liquid preparations from different manufacturers. The combinative method of chromatographic fingerprint with quantitative analysis developed here offered an efficient way for the quality consistency evaluation of the traditional Chinese medicine SMT.     

Accumulation Pattern of Flavonoids during Fruit Development of Lonicera maackii Determined by Metabolomics

Lonicera maackii (Caprifoliaceae) is a large, upright shrub with fruits that contain many bioactive compounds. Flavonoids are common active substances in L. maackii. However, there is a dearth of information about the accumulation of these flavonoids and their possible medicinal value. We used targeted metabolomics analysis based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to analyze five developmental stages of L. maackii fruit. A total of 438 metabolites were identified in the five developmental stages, including 81 flavonoids and derivatives. The 81 flavonoids included 25 flavones and derivatives, 35 flavonols and derivatives, two isoflavones, three cyanidins and derivatives, eight procyanidins, and eight flavanones. In addition, we outlined the putative flavonoid biosynthesis pathway and screened their upstream metabolites. More importantly, we analyzed the accumulation patterns of several typical flavones and flavonols. The results reported here improved our understanding of the dynamic changes in flavonoids during fruit development and contributed to making full use of the medicinal value of L. maackii fruit.     

Simultaneous quantification of adrenergic amines and flavonoids in C. aurantium, various Citrus species, and dietary supplements by liquid chromatography

An analytical method was developed for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of 6 amines and 20 flavonoids in fruits and extracts of 30 Citrus species, including C. aurantium, near-Citrus relatives, and dietary supplements by liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. The separation was achieved with a Phenomenex Synergi Hydro reversed-phase column using gradient mobile phase of sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.5) and acetonitrile. Elution was run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and UV at 254, 280, and 330 nm. Among the amines analyzed, synephrine, the main component, was present in the levels from 0.11 to 2.0 mg/g dry weight in 21 Citrus species and 0.07 to 18.62% in dietary supplements claiming to contain C. aurantium. The flavanones and flavones were analyzed in the same Citrus samples and were species-specific. The levels of flavones were very low compared with those of flavanones. The method facilitated the simultaneous quantification of 6 amines and 20 flavonoids in various Citrus species, the distinction between the different Citrus species, and the analysis of dietary supplements containing C. aurantium.     

Characterization of polyphenolic compounds in unripe chinotto (Citrus myrtifolia) fruit by HPLC/PDA/ESI/MS-MS

The flavonoid and furocoumarin composition was investigated of peel and pulp tissues of unripe fruits of Citrus myrtifolia Rafinesque, an ingredient of the popular soft drink "chinotto". Compound separation and identification was made using an HPLC-PDA detector coupled to ESI/MS/MS in positive and negative mode. Eighteen compounds (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-, C- and O-glycosyl flavonoids, furocoumarins and polymethoxylated flavones) were identified and quantified. Data indicated that the overall amount of flavonoids and furocoumarins in peel was higher than in the pulp, even though their relative distribution did not significantly change, apart from a different distribution of flavones and a lower content of naringin in the peel.     

Separation of some chiral flavanones by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) was applied for enantioseparation of selected flavanones, including naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, naringenin, hesperetin, pinostrobin, isosakuranetin, eriodictyol, and homoeriodictyol. gamma-Cyclodextrin (gamma-CD) and sodium cholate (SCh) were used as chiral modifiers inducing enantioselectivity to the background electrolyte. From among many investigated selectors only these two appeared to possess the best enantioselective properties in respect to studied flavanones. The mechanisms of their action are a little different; SCh used above critical micelle point concentration forms chiral micelles itself while gamma-CD is deprived of this property and requires addition of surfactants as, e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate. It was found that SCh enables separation of flavanone glycosides diastereomers while separation of enantiomers of flavanone aglycones may be achieved with gamma-CD. Consideration of structural relation led to the suggestion that interaction of sugar moiety of glycosides with SCh micelles give rise to chiral recognition. MEKC appeared to be a suitable and efficient analytical tool to follow enantiomeric composition of flavanones.     

Optimization of flavanones extraction by modulating differential solvent densities and centrifuge temperatures

Understanding the factors influencing flavonone extraction is critical for the knowledge in sample preparation. The present study was focused on the extraction parameters such as solvent, heat, centrifugal speed, centrifuge temperature, sample to solvent ratio, extraction cycles, sonication time, microwave time and their interactions on sample preparation. Flavanones were analyzed in a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and later identified by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The five flavanones were eluted by a binary mobile phase with 0.03% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in 20 min and detected at 280 nm, and later identified by mass spectral analysis. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethyl formamide (DMF) had optimum extraction levels of narirutin, naringin, neohesperidin, didymin and poncirin compared to methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH) and acetonitrile (ACN). Centrifuge temperature had a significant effect on flavanone distribution in the extracts. The DMSO and DMF extracts had homogeneous distribution of flavanones compared to MeOH, EtOH and ACN after centrifugation. Furthermore, ACN showed clear phase separation due to differential densities in the extracts after centrifugation. The number of extraction cycles significantly increased the flavanone levels during extraction. Modulating the sample to solvent ratio increased naringin quantity in the extracts. Current research provides critical information on the role of centrifuge temperature, extraction solvent and their interactions on flavanone distribution in extracts.     

Determination of naringin and neohesperidin in orange juice by liquid chromatography with UV detection to detect the presence of grapefruit juice: Collaborative Study

Fifteen collaborating laboratories were sent 9 samples of citrus juice mixtures as blind duplicates for determination of naringin and neohesperidin by liquid chromatography. Two sample pairs were 100% orange juice and did not contain any naringin or neohesperidin. The remaining 7 sample pairs contained naringin at levels ranging from 3.9 to 46.5 ppm and neohesperidin at levels ranging from 0.14 to 35.6 ppm. Five sample pairs consisted of orange juice mixtures containing 1, 3, and 5% grapefruit juice; 5% sour orange; and 5% K-Early citrus variety. Two sample pairs were orange juice spiked with naringin, neohesperidin, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate. Data were received from 13 laboratories. Data from 1 collaborator were eliminated because the method protocol was not followed. Neohesperidin values from another laboratory were also not used because of problems with a coeluting component. Repeatability relative standard deviations ranged from 2.95 to 15.23% for naringin and from 3.00 to 11.74% for neohesperidin. Reproducibility relative standard deviations ranged from 11.34 to 31.94% for naringin and from 10.45 to 26.17% for neohesperidin. The method is reliable for detecting the presence of grapefruit juice in orange juice as indicated by a finding of > or =10 ppm naringin and < or =2 ppm neohesperidin. The method was adopted First Action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.     

LC Characterization of the Major Constituents in Zhi-Zi-Hou-Pu Decoction Using Various Detection Approaches

This study describes the development of various detection approaches to identify the major constituents in a classic formula Zhi-Zi-Hou-Pu decoction without use of reference standards. Three techniques such as LC with ultraviolet-visible detection, LC with fluorescence detection, and LC with photo-diode array detection-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry produced a considerable effect. The chromatographic and spectral information obtained as well as the recorded literature of the herbs were well utilized to identify the multiple ingredients of the formula to a great extent. The proposed techniques were then successfully applied to identify twelve compounds such as genipin-1-β-gentiobioside, geniposide, eriocitrin, neoeriocitrin, isonaringin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, naringenin, hesperetin, honokiol, and magnolol in Zhi-Zi-Hou-Pu decoction.     

Dietary‐flavonoid‐rich flowers of Rumex nervosus Vahl: Liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry profiling and in vitro anti‐inflammatory effects

Rumex nervosus is a plant species found widely in Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In addition to its uses in traditional medicinal, the plant shows various biological activities, such as antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant activity. In this study, nine flavonols, six flavones, three flavanones, and one flavanol were characterized from the flowers of R. nervosus using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and literature data. Validation data indicated that the determination coefficients (R²) were ≥ 0.9914. The limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.15–1.24 and 0.50–4.13 mg/L, respectively. Recoveries at 10 and 50 mg/L were 71.1–110.2 and 65.4–115.1%, with relative standard deviations of 7.4–40.1 and 2.1–13.0%, respectively. Quercetin 3‐O‐rhamnoside ( 10 ) was the dominant component, contributing 30.8% of total flavonoids (1003.0 ± 26.2 mg/kg fresh flower sample), whereas luteolin 6‐C‐glucoside (3) was the lowest yielding compound (0.1%). The 19 flavonoids identified were characterized for the first time. In vitro anti‐inflammatory studies showed that this mixture can suppress the production of inflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, kappa B inhibitor, and interleukin‐1β, by down‐regulating the nuclear factor‐kappa B and mitogen‐activated protein kinases pathways. The results of this study may provide information for processing R. nervosus as a potential source of functional food.     

分子印迹固相萃取/高效液相色谱法分离和富集枳实中4种黄烷酮

采用沉淀聚合法以橙皮素为模板分子,2-乙烯基吡啶为功能单体,二甲基丙烯酸乙二醇酯为交联剂,合成了橙皮素分子印迹聚合物。利用紫外光谱法确定了最佳功能单体与配比,优化了合成条件。采用傅立叶变换红外光谱、扫描电子显微镜、静态吸附对聚合物进行表征。实验结果表明,分子印迹聚合物的吸附性能明显优于空白印迹聚合物,且此聚合物对柚皮苷、橙皮苷、柚皮素和橙皮素的相对选择系数分别为1.40,1.39,1.59和2.89,表明该分子印迹聚合物对4种黄烷酮有较好的选择性。将印迹聚合物作为固相萃取填料,对枳实提取液进行分离和富集,结果表明上述4种黄烷酮的提取率分别为72.6%,61.1%,95.4%和93.5%,分离富集效果良好,大大提高了枳实中4种黄烷酮的提取效率。