Qualitative and quantitative determination of the major coumarins in Zushima by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector and mass spectrometry

A method, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS), was developed to qualitatively identify and quantitatively determine the 10 major active coumarins of Zushima. The analysis was performed by using a ZORBAX SB-C18 analytical column (250 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm) at gradient elution of 0.5% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile with diode array detection (325 nm). The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection and quantification. The proposed method was successfully applied for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of 10 coumarins in five different species of Zushima which had great variation on the contents of investigated coumarins.     

Rapid method for simultaneous determination of flavonoid,saponins and polyacetylenes in Folium Ginseng and Radix Ginseng by pressurized liquid extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and mass spectrometry

A rapid pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD–MS) method for the simultaneous determination of one flavonoid (panasenoside), nine saponins (ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rf, Rg2, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd) and two polyacetylenes (panaxydol and panaxynol) in Folium Ginseng and Radix Ginseng was developed. A Prevail C₁₈ rocket column (33 mm × 7 mm, 3.0 μm) and gradient elution were used during the analysis. Flavonoid was quantified at 355 nm, and saponins and polyacetylenes were determined at 203 nm. The chromatographic peaks of 12 investigated compounds in samples were unambiguously identified by compared their UV spectra and/or MS data with the related reference compounds. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0.999) within the test ranges. The intra- and inter-day variations for 12 analytes were less than 1.17% and 2.17%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to determine the investigated compounds in 10 samples of Radix Ginseng and Folium Ginseng, respectively. The result showed that PLE combined with rocket column HPLC analysis could provide a rapid method for analysis of compounds in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which is helpful to comprehensive evaluation of quality of Radix Ginseng and Folium Ginseng.     

Evaluation of traditional Chinese herbal medicine: Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) by both high-performance liquid chromatographic and high-performance thin-layer chromatographic fingerprint and chemometric analysis

Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), roots of Bupleurum chinense and B. scorzonerifolium, is an authentic Chinese Materia Medica in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Some other species such as the roots of B. falcatum, B.bicaule and B. marginatum var. stenophyllum similar to Chaihu can also be occasionally found in local raw herb markets. The quality of 33 lots of authenticated Chaihu samples vs. 31 lots of commercial samples was evaluated by both high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analyses of its principal bioactive components (saikosaponins). The pre-treated data acquired from both HPLC fingerprints and HPTLC fluorescent images were processed by chemometrics for similarity and pattern recognition, including Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) and an expert’s panel. It was apparent that k-NN classifier exhibited good performance with sufficient flexibility for processing HPTLC fingerprint images which were otherwise not easily dealt with by other algorithms due to the shift of R_f values and varying hue/saturation of the band colours between different TLC plates. These two chromatographic fingerprint methods can be considered complementary measure of quality control. The roots of Chaihu from different species of the genus Bupleurum could readily be distinguished from each other so that commercial samples can easily be classified. Chaihu collected from several major herbal distribution centers was found to belong to B. chinense with great variation in the content of its major saikosaponins.     

Optimization of matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction method for the analysis of isoflavones in Trifolium pratense

A method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) has been developed for the determination of 12 isoflavones in Trifolium pratense L. Dried leaf samples were blended with C₁₈, placed in small columns and isoflavones extracted with dichloromethane–methanol. Analyses were performed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) with 2-methoxyflavone as internal standard. Several dispersants, eluents and clean-up steps were tested during the optimization of the process in order to obtain the best selectivity and yields. Mean recoveries ranged from 70% to 119%, with relative standard deviations <18%. The limits of detection were between 0.006 mg/l for biochanin A and 0.108 mg/l for daidzin. The performance of the optimized method in real samples was compared with a conventional method based in solid–liquid extraction (SLE).     

An in-tube SPME device for the selective determination of chlorophyll a in aquatic systems

We report a new device for the estimation of the content of chlorophyll a pigment in water samples as an indicator of water quality. The extraction of the pigment from water was also optimized. 10 mL of water was filtered through a nylon filter (45 μm pore size and 13 mm of diameter), after the chlorophylls were dissolved by immersing the filter in 1 mL of a low non-hazardous solvent as ethanol. An in-valve in-tube SPME device coupled to capillary liquid chromatography with diode array detection was designed. A capillary column of 70 cm in length (0.32 mm i.d. coated with 5% diphenyl-95% polydimethylsiloxane, 3 μm coating thickness) was used as the loop of the injection valve for preconcentration and a Zorbax SB C₁₈ (SiO₂-based) 150 mm × 0.5 mm i.d., 5 μm column (Agilent) was used as analytical column. The achieved detection limit was 0.05 μg L⁻¹ and the working range of concentrations was 0.1-1 μg L⁻¹. % RSD values between 2 and 11 were obtained. Chlorophyll a in several water matrices was determined with good results in presence of other pigments such as chlorophyll b, pheophytin a and pheophytin b.     

Direct identification of phenolic constituents in Boldo Folium (Peumus boldus Mol.) infusions by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A very simple and direct method was developed for the qualitative analysis of polyphenols in boldo (Peumus boldus Mol., Monimiaceae) leaves infusions by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MSⁿ). The phenolic constituents identified in infusions of the crude drug Boldo Folium were mainly proanthocyanidins and flavonol glycosides. In the infusions, 41 compounds were detected in male and 43 compounds in female leaf samples, respectively. Nine quercetin glycosides, eight kaempferol derivatives, nine isorhamnetin glycosides, three phenolic acids, one caffeoylquinic acid glycoside and twenty one proanthocyanidins were identified by HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS for the first time in the crude drug. Isorhamnetin glucosyl-di-rhamnoside was the most abundant flavonol glycoside in the male boldo sample, whereas isorhamnetin di-glucosyl-di-rhamnoside was the main phenolic compound in female boldo leaves infusion. The results suggest that the medicinal properties reported for this popular infusion should be attributed not only to the presence of catechin and boldine but also to several phenolic compounds with known antioxidant activity. The HPLC fingerprint obtained can be useful in the authentication of the crude drug Boldo Folium as well as for qualitative analysis and differentiation of plant populations in the tree distribution range.     

An ultrafiltration high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry approach for screening and characterising tyrosinase inhibitors from mulberry leaves

Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in melanin synthesis. Its inhibitor may be used to efficiently treat hyperpigmentation and widely applied in cosmetic products and food supplements. In the present study, a new assay based on ultrafiltration high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD–MS) was developed for the rapid screening and identification of ligands for tyrosinase. Experiments were carried out to select the optimal binding conditions, tyrosinase concentration, and incubation time. Non-specific binding to the denatured tyrosinase was also investigated. Twelve compounds with tyrosinase binding activity were found in mulberry leaf extracts. The identities of these compounds were characterised by HPLC–DAD–MSⁿ. Particularly, two compounds, namely, quercetin-3-O-(6-O-malonyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside and kaempferol-3-O-(6-O-malonyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside, were identified as new tyrosinase inhibitors. The screening results were verified by tyrosinase inhibition assays. Experimental results proved that the proposed method could rapidly screen tyrosinase inhibitors in complex mixtures.     

Quality evaluation of Rhizoma Belamcandae (Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.) by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) method was developed to evaluate the quality of Rhizoma Belamcandae (Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.) through establishing chromatographic fingerprint and simultaneous determination of seven phenolic compounds. The analysis was achieved on an Alltima C(18) analytical column (250 mm x 4.6 mm i.d. 5 microm) using linear gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. The correlation coefficients of similarity were determined from the HPLC fingerprints, and they shared a close similarity. By using an online APCI-MS/MS, twenty phenols were identified. In addition, seven of these phenols including mangiferin, 7-O-methylmangiferin, tectoridin, resveratrol, tectorigenin, irigenin and irisflorentin were quantified by the validated HPLC-DAD method. These phenols are considered to be major constituents in Rhizoma Belamcandae, and are generally regarded as the index for quality assessment of this herb. This developed method by having a combination of chromatographic fingerprint and quantification analysis could be applied to the quality control of Rhizoma Belamcandae.     

Enhanced chromatographic fingerprinting of herb materials by multi-wavelength selection and chemometrics

A strategy for multi-wavelength chromatographic fingerprinting of herbal materials, using high performance liquid chromatography with a UV–Vis diode array detector is presented. Valeriana officinalis was selected to show the proposed methodology since it is a widely used commercially available herbal drug, and because misfit with other valerian species is a current issue. The enhanced fingerprints were constructed by compiling into a single data vector the chromatograms from four wavelengths (226, 254, 280 and 326 nm), at which characteristic chemical constituents of studied herbs presented maximum absorbance. Chromatographic data pretreatment included baseline correction, normalization and correlation optimized warping. A simplex optimization was performed to retrieve the optimal values of the parameters used in the warping. General success rates of a classification above 90% were achieved by soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The sensitivity and specificity of constructed models were above 94%. Tests on laboratory-made mixtures showed that it is possible to detect adulterations or counterfeits with 5% foreign herbal material, even if it is from the Valerianaceae family. The results suggest that the proposed enhanced fingerprinting approach can be used to authenticate herb materials with complex chromatographic profiles.     

Fast and sensitive LC-DAD-ESI/MS method for analysis of saikosaponins c, a, and d from the roots of Bupleurum Falcatum (Sandaochaihu)

In the present study, we developed a liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometric (LC-DAD-ESI/MS) method for analysis of saikosaponins in Bupleurum falcatum. The LC method employed a ZORBAX SB-Aq analytical column (150 x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min coupled with a diode array detector at 204 nm. A step gradient of acetonitrile-water (v/v) containing 0.5% formic acid from 30 to 70% was applied, leading to a sample analysis time of 30 min. The ESI-MS was carried out in positive and negative modes from 500 to 1,500 m/z. Saikosaponins c, a, and d gave strong sodium adducts at m/z 949.6, 803.5 and 803.6, respectively, in positive mode. The data indicate that the present LC-DAD-ESI/MS assay is an effective method for the determination of saikosaponins c, a and d from the roots of Bupleurum falcatum.     

固相萃取-反相高效液相色谱法同时测定饲料中的角黄素和虾青素

建立了一种同时测定饲料中角黄素和虾青素的固相萃取-高效液相色谱法（HPLC）。样品由乙腈提取,经LC-NH2固相萃取小柱净 化,洗脱剂为乙腈-甲苯（体积比为3∶1）,洗脱液被浓缩后进行HPLC分析,色谱柱为ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18柱(150 mm×4.6 mm,5 μ m),流动相为乙腈-甲醇（体积比为95∶5）,流速1.0 mL/min,采用二极管阵列检测器检测,检测波长为474 nm;外标法定量。角黄素和 虾青素的线性范围分别为1.0～30.0 mg/L和1.0～20.0 mg/L,相关系数分别为0.9990和0.9991,回收率为90%～101%,相对标准偏差为 0.62%～3.68%,检出限分别为0.84和0.60 mg/L。该方法简便、快速、准确,可用于饲料中角黄素和虾青素的同时测定。     

Determination of polyacetylenes in carrot roots (Daucus carota L.) by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method with diode array detection was developed for the separation and simultaneous determination of the carrot polyacetylenes falcarindiol (FaDOH), falcarindiol 3-acetate (FaDOAc) and falcarinol (FaOH) in carrot root extracts. The optimal chromatographic conditions were achieved on a C18 column with a linear gradient elution of water and acetonitrile as mobile phases, at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. All calibration curves of the three carrot polyacetylenes showed good linear regression (R2 > 0.998) within the test ranges. The developed method showed good precision for quantification of all polyacetylenes with overall intraday and interday variation of less than 3.3% and with average recovery rates of 99.2, 96.8 and 99.7% for FaDOH, FaDOAc and FaOH, respectively. The LOD (S/N = 3) and LOQ (S/N = 10) were less than 0.19 and 0.42 microg/mL, respectively, for all analytes. The established method was successfully used to determine the spatial distribution of FaDOH, FaDOAc and FaOH in six carrot genotypes (Bolero, Independent, Line 1, Mello Yello, Purple Haze and Tornado) by analysing peeled carrots and the corresponding peels for these polyacetylenes.     

Quantification of 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3-furanone in fruit samples using solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Furaneol is an important aroma compound. It is very difficult to extract furaneol from food matrices and separate it on a gas chromatography column due to its high polarity and instability. A new quantitative method was developed to quantify furaneol in aqueous samples by the use of derivatization/solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The derivatization was carried out by reacting pentafluorobenzyl bromide with furaneol in basic solutions at elevated temperatures. The derivative was stable and less polar so that SPME-GC/MS could be applied for extraction, separation and detection. The automated analytical method had a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 ng mL(-1), a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2 ng mL(-1), a repeatability of 9.5%, and a linear range from 2 to 500 ng mL(-1). The method was applied to analyze fruit samples. And it was found that the concentrations of furaneol in tomato ranged from 95 to 173 μg kg(-1), in strawberries ranged from 1663 to 4852 μg kg(-1). The results were verified with a LC procedure. To facilitate analytical method development, some physico-chemical parameters for furaneol were determined in this work. Its solubility in water was determined as 0.315 g mL(-1) (25°C). Its LogD in water and LogP in 0.1 M phosphate buffer were -0.133 and 0.95 (20 °C), respectively. Its pKa was 8.56 (20 °C).     

Multi-wavelength HPLC fingerprints from complex substances: An exploratory chemometrics study of the Cassia seed example

Multi-wavelength fingerprints of Cassia seed, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), were collected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at two wavelengths with the use of diode array detection. The two data sets of chromatograms were combined by the data fusion-based method. This data set of fingerprints was compared separately with the two data sets collected at each of the two wavelengths. It was demonstrated with the use of principal component analysis (PCA), that multi-wavelength fingerprints provided a much improved representation of the differences in the samples. Thereafter, the multi-wavelength fingerprint data set was submitted for classification to a suite of chemometrics methods viz. fuzzy clustering (FC), SIMCA and the rank ordering MCDM PROMETHEE and GAIA. Each method highlighted different properties of the data matrix according to the fingerprints from different types of Cassia seeds. In general, the PROMETHEE and GAIA MCDM methods provided the most comprehensive information for matching and discrimination of the fingerprints, and appeared to be best suited for quality assurance purposes for these and similar types of sample.     

A simple and sensitive HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of eight bioactive components and fingerprint analysis of Schisandra sphenanthera

A simple and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography method with photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed for simultaneous determination of eight bioactive constituents (schisandrin, schisandrol B, schisantherin A, schisanhenol, anwulignan, deoxyshisandrin, schisandrin B and schisandrin C) in the ripe fruit of Schisandra sphenanthera and its traditional Chinese herbal preparations Wuzhi-capsule by optimizing the extraction, separation and analytical conditions of HPLC-DAD. The chemical fingerprint of S. sphenanthera was established using raw materials of 15 different origins in China. The chromatographic separations were obtained by an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 reserved-phase column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) using gradient elution with water-formic acid (100:0.1, v/v) and acetonitrile, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹, an operating temperature of 35 °C, and a wavelength of 230 nm. The constituents were confirmed by (+) electrospray ionization LC-MS. The new method was validated and was successfully applied to simultaneous determination of components in 13 batches of Wuzhi-capsule. The results indicate that this multi-component determination method in combination with chromatographic fingerprint analysis is suitable for quantitative analysis and quality control of S. sphenanthera.     

Comparison of different extraction procedures for the comprehensive characterization of bioactive phenolic compounds in Rosmarinus officinalis by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In the present work, a comparative study between two environmentally friendly and selective extraction techniques, such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) have been carried out focusing in the bioactive phenolic compounds present in Rosmarinus officinalis. For the analysis of the SFE and PLE extracts, a new methodology for qualitative characterization has been developed, based on the use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), equipped with two different detection systems coupled in series: diode array detector (DAD) and time of flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) detector connected via an electrospray ionization interface (ESI). The use of a small particle size C(18) column (1.8 μm) provided a great resolution and made possible the separation of several isomers. Moreover, UV-visible spectrophotometry is a valuable tool for identifying the class of phenolic compounds, whereas MS data enabled to structurally characterize the compounds present in the extracts. The applied methodology was useful for the determination of many well-known phenolic compounds present in R. officinalis, such as carnosol, carnosic acid, rosmadial, rosmanol, genkwanin, homoplantaginin, scutellarein, cirsimaritin and rosmarinic acid, as well as other phenolic compounds present in other species belonging to Lamiaceae family.     

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in bovine tissue by an on-line coupled matrix solid-phase dispersion-solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection method

A miniaturized method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion coupled to solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (MSPD-SPE-HPLC/DAD) was developed for the trace simultaneous determination of the following organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in bovine tissue: parathion-methyl, fenitrothion, parathion, chlorfenvinphos, diazinon, ethion, fenchlorphos, chlorpyrifos and carbophenothion. To perform the coupling between MSPD and SPE, 0.05 g of sample was dispersed with 0.2 g of C(18) silica sorbent and packed into a stainless steel cartridge containing 0.05 g of silica gel in the bottom. After a clean-up of high and medium polarity interferences with water and an acetonitrile:water mixture, the OPPs were desorbed from the MSPD cartridge with pure acetonitrile and directly transferred to a dynamic mixing chamber for dilution with water and preconcentration into an SPE 20 mm × 2.0 mm I.D. C(18) silica column. Subsequently, the OPPs were eluted on-line with the chromatographic mobile phase to the analytical column and the diode array detector for their separation and detection, respectively. The method was validated and yielded recovery values between 91% and 101% and precision values, expressed as relative standard deviations (RSD), which were less than or equal to 12%. Linearity was good and ranged from 0.5 to 10 μg g(-1), and the limits of detection of the OPPs were in the range of 0.04-0.25 μg g(-1). The method was satisfactorily applied to the analysis of real samples and is recommended for food control, research efforts when sample amounts are limited, and laboratories that have ordinary chromatographic instrumentation.     

反相高效液相色谱法分离2-(氟苯基)-5-甲基苯并恶唑和2-(氯苯基)-5-甲基苯并恶唑的位置异构体

基于商品化的普通色谱柱建立了2-(氟苯基)-5-甲基苯并恶唑和2-(氯苯基)-5-甲基苯并恶唑邻、间、对位置异构体的分离检测方法。色谱柱为Inertsil ODS-SP C₁₈(250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm),以乙腈(A)和水(B)为流动相,在60%A~80%A间线性梯度洗脱15 min,流速为1.5 mL/min,柱温40℃,检测波长为310 nm。在质量浓度为2~200 mg/L范围内,2-(氟苯基)-5-甲基苯并恶唑邻、间、对位的异构体、2-(氯苯基)-5-甲基苯并恶唑邻、间、对位的异构体具有良好的线性关系,6种化合物的检出限(S/N=3)依次为0.0307、0.0293、0.0315、0.0226、0.0237、0.0226 mg/L。该法既为5-甲基苯并恶唑与氟苯或氯苯碳氢活化偶联反应制备的异构体混合物提供了一个快速检测的方法,又为2-芳基苯并恶唑类异构体的分离检测提供了参考。     

高效液相色谱-二极管阵列检测-电化学检测联用技术同时测定三精双黄连口服液中的4种化合物

建立了应用高效液相色谱-二极管阵列检测-电化学检测(HPLC-DAD-ECD)联用技术同时测定三精双黄连口服液中的绿原酸、咖啡酸、黄芩甙和木樨草素的方法。以Zorbax SB-C18柱(150 mm×4.6 mm i.d., 5.0 μm)为色谱柱,柱温为30 ℃，流动相为(A)甲醇和(B)甲醇-水-冰醋酸(体积比为50∶50∶1),其梯度洗脱程序为2%A3 min3%A12 min25%A5 min80%A。流速为0.8 mL/min。二极管阵列检测波长为275 nm。电化学单安培检测器的工作电压为0.7 V。在上述条件下实现了绿原酸、咖啡酸、黄芩甙和木樨草素的分离检测。上述4种化合物的回收率为96.6%～99.6%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为2.5%～4.1%,检测限依次为1,0.2,9和7 mg/L。该方法简便、快速,重现性和准确度较好,可作为测定双黄连口服液中绿原酸、咖啡酸、黄芩甙和木樨草素的有效方法。     

Fingerprint analysis and multi‐ingredient quantitative analysis for quality evaluation of Xiaoyanlidan tablets by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection

A rapid and sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography method with diode array detection was developed for the fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination of seven active compounds in Xiaoyanlidan (XYLD) tablets. The chromatographic separations were obtained on an Agilent Eclipse plus C₁₈ column (50 × 2.1 mm id, 1.8 μm) using gradient elution with water/formic acid (1%) and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Within 63 min, 36 peaks could be selected as the common peaks for fingerprint analysis to evaluate the similarities among several samples of XYLD tablets collected from different manufacturers. In quantitative analysis, seven compounds showed good regression (R > 0.9990) within test ranges and the recovery of the method was within the range of 95.9–104.3%. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of seven compounds in six batches of XYLD tablets. These results demonstrate that the combination of chromatographic fingerprint analysis and simultaneous multi‐ingredient quantification using the ultra high performance liquid chromatography method with diode array detection offers a rapid, efficient, and reliable approach for quality evaluation of XYLD tablets.