Rapid screening and evaluation of XOD inhibitors and O2•− scavenger from total flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba leaves by LC–MS and multimode microplate reader

Superoxide anion radical scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor play an important role in the treatment of several relevant human diseases. In the present study, ultrafiltration liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry coupled to microplate reader was applied to screen and identify superoxide anion radical scavengers and xanthine oxidase inhibitors from total flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba leaves. As a result, four compounds (quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) were screened as xanthine oxidase inhibitors by ultrafiltration LC–MS, and the 50% scavenging concentration values of the screened flavonoids were lower than those for allopurinol. Lineweaver–Burk plot results indicated that kaempferol was a competitive xanthine oxidase inhibitor; the other flavonoids were all anticompetitive inhibitors. Four flavonoids—rutin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin—were screened as superoxide anion radical scavengers by LC–MS. The results demonstrate that the method for screening and evaluation of superoxide anion radical scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor from a complex mixture system is feasible and efficient.     

Rapid screening and identification of α-glucosidase inhibitors from mulberry leaves using enzyme-immobilized magnetic beads coupled with HPLC/MS and NMR

α-Glucosidase plays important roles in the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine. The inhibition of α-glucosidase is regarded as a potential way to treat diabetes. We established an approach to screening α-glucosidase inhibitors from medicinal plants using enzyme-coated magnetic bead. Using 1-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide as reaction reagents, α-glucosidase was immobilized on the magnetic beads by covalent linkage. The conjugation of α-glucosidase to the magnetic beads was characterized using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. The proposed approach was applied in fishing potential α-glucosidase inhibitors from extract of Morus alba, a Chinese medicinal plant. The structures of potential active compounds were identified via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The results demonstrated that two flavonoids (isoquercitrin and astragalin) could bind to α-glucosidase, which was confirmed via conventional α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. Our findings suggested that enzyme-coated magnetic beads may be suitable for discovering active compounds from medicinal plants.     

Rapid colorimetric detection of Salmonella typhimuriumusing a selective filtration technique combined with antibody–magnetic nanoparticle nanocomposites

Detection of pathogenic bacteria that pose a great risk to human health requires a rapid, convenient, reliable, and sensitive detection method. In this study, we developed a selective filtration method using monoclonal antibody (MAb)–magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) nanocomposites for the rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection of Salmonella typhimurium. The method contains two key steps: the immunomagnetic separation of the bacteria using MAb–MNP nanocomposites and the filtration of the nanocomposite-bound bacteria. Color signals from the nanocomposites remaining on the membrane were measured, which reflected the amount of bacteria in test samples. Immunomagnetic capture efficiencies of 8 to 90 % for various concentrations of the pathogen (2?×?10⁴–2?×?10¹ cells) were obtained. After optimization of the method, 2?×?10¹ cells of S. typhimurium in pure culture solution was detectable as well as in artificially inoculated vegetables (100 cells/g). The method was confirmed to be highly specific to S. typhimurium without cross-reaction to other pathogenic bacteria and could be concluded within 45 min, yielding results in a shorter or similar time period as compared with recently reported antibody immobilized on magnetic-particle-based methods. This study also demonstrated direct application of MAb–MNP nanocomposites without a dissociation step of bacteria from magnetic beads in colorimetric assays in practice.     

Simultaneously screening multiple UGT1A1 inhibitors from Polygonum multiflorum root using ultrafiltration LC–MS

Liver injury induced by Polygonum multiflorum root (PMR) is an immediate issue requiring global attention. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) inhibitors are suspected to additively contribute to the hepatotoxicity of PMR. This study was deliberately designed to simultaneously screen UGT1A1 inhibitors from PMR, and their co-contribution to hepatotoxicity was determined. Using ultrafiltration coupled to LC–MS method, four compounds, namely cis-2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside, trans-2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d -glucoside, emodin-8-O-β-d -glucoside, and emodin, were screened, exhibiting the in vitro inhibitory activities against UGT1A1 with IC₅₀ values of 76.23, 18.70, 62.18, and 34.02 μM, respectively. The varying activities of the screened UGT1A1 inhibitors were demonstrated by performing a molecular docking simulation. Finally, zebrafish larvae and mice assays demonstrated that the UGT1A1 inhibitors co-contributed to the hepatotoxicity of PMR. These findings are conducive to understand the role of UGT1A1 inhibitors in PMR-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Efficient and rapid method for extraction of intact phospholipids from sediments combined with molecular structure elucidation using LC–ESI-MS–MS analysis

This paper presents the application of an efficient method for extraction and fractionation of intact phospholipids (PLs) from complex sediment matrices and elucidation of their molecular structure by normal-phase HPLC–ESI-MS–MS. Flow-blending extraction was tested with different solvent mixtures and the best recovery of all PLs classes from the sediment matrix was achieved by using methanol–dichloromethane–buffer, 2:1:0.8. The applied LC–ESI-MS system has linearity of R²=0.98 and a detection limit of 0.5 ng/PL, sufficient for reliable identification of complex mixtures of PLs. MS–MS analyses using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer enables detection of individual PL side-chain composition and, hence, characterization of the living organisms contributing to the sedimentary organic material. Parallel GC–MS analysis of the hydrolysed phospholipid fatty acids supports the characterized fatty acid patterns determined from intact PLs. The PL inventory of different investigated lacustrine surface sediments shows predominantly high abundance of phosphatidylglycerols and phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidyl-mono- and dimethyl-ethanolamines with fatty acyl side-chains typically known from bacteria. In a sample from Lake Baikal intense signals of bacterial 14:0-acyl-PGs were also identified, for the first time in sediments as far as we are aware.     

Rapid screening and quantification of sulfonate derivatives in white peony root by UHPLC–MS–MS

A rapid ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC–MS–MS) method has been developed for rapid screening and quantitative analysis of sulfonate derivatives (SDs) in commercial white peony root. Separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus-C18 column by gradient elution with acetonitrile–0.1% (v/v) formic acid as the mobile phase. In-source fragmentation was used to generate the characteristic fragment ion at m/z 259 and to screen for nine SDs. Detection of these SDs was further performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to improve sensitivity and to quantify the two SDs paeoniflorin sulfonate and benzoylpaeoniflorin sulfonate. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy, and matrix effects. Nine commercial white peony root samples were examined by use of this method, which revealed great variety in the paeoniflorin sulfonate and benzoylpaeoniflorin sulfonate content.     

Rapid detection and structural characterization of verapamil metabolites in rats by UPLC–MSE and UNIFI platform

High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is an important technology for studying biotransformations of drugs in biological systems. In order to process complex HRMS data, bioinformatics, including data-mining techniques for identifying drug metabolites from liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) or multistage mass spectrometry (MSⁿ) datasets as well as elucidating the detected metabolites’ structure by spectral interpretation software, are important tools. Data-mining technologies have widely been used in drug metabolite identification, including mass defect filters, product ion filters, neutral-loss filters, control sample comparisons and extracted ion chromatographic analysis. However, the metabolites identified by current different technologies are not the same, indicating the importance of technique integration for efficient and complete identification of metabolic products. In this study, a universal, high-throughput workflow for identifying and verifying metabolites by applying the drug metabolite identification software UNIFI is reported, to study the biotransformation of verapamil in rats. A total of 71 verapamil metabolites were found in rat plasma, urine and faeces, including two metabolites that have not been reported in the literature. Phase I metabolites of verapamil were identified as N-demethylation, O-demethylation, N-dealkylation and oxidation and dehydrogenation metabolites; phase II metabolites were mainly glucuronidation and sulfate conjugates, indicating that UNIFI software could be effective and valuable in identifying drug metabolites.     

Screening and structural characterization of α-glucosidase inhibitors from hawthorn leaf flavonoids extract by ultrafiltration LC-DAD-MS n and SORI-CID FTICR MS

In vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assays and ultrafiltration liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ultrafiltration LC-DAD-ESI-MS ⁿ ) were combined to screen α-glucosidase inhibitors from hawthorn leaf flavonoids extract (HLFE). As a result, four compounds were identified as α-glucosidase inhibitors in the HLFE, and their structures were confirmed to be quercetin-3-O-rha- (1-4)-glc-rha and C-glycosylflavones (vitexin-2″-O-glucoside, vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside and vitexin) by high-resolution sustained off resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID) data obtained by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS). Several other C-glycosylflavones (vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isooriention) and their aglycones apigenin and luteolin were evaluated by in vitro assays, and were found to possess strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activities as well. Moreover, the substituent groups on the flavones had a great impact on the enzyme inhibition activity. C-3′-OH of the B-ring of flavones in particular increased the α-glucosidase inhibition activity, whereas C-glycosylations at C-6 or C-8 of the A ring weakened the inhibition activity.     

Rapid and sensitive method for the determination of acetaldehyde in fuel ethanol by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV–Vis detection

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of acetaldehyde in fuel ethanol was developed. Acetaldehyde was derivatized with 0.900 mL 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPHi) reagent and 50 L phosphoric acid 1 mol L^–1 at a controlled room temperature of 15°C for 20 min. The separation of acetaldehyde-DNPH (ADNPH) was carried out on a Shimadzu Shim-pack C₁₈ column, using methanol/LiCl_(aq) 1.0 mM (80/20, v/v) as a mobile phase under isocratic elution and UV–Vis detection at 365 nm. The standard curve of ADNPH was linear in the range 3–300 mg L^–1 per injection (20 L) and the limit of detection (LOD) for acetaldehyde was 2.03 g L^–1, with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.999 and a precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) of 5.6% (n=5). Recovery studies were performed by fortifying fuel samples with acetaldehyde at various concentrations and the results were in the range 98.7–102%, with a coefficient of variation (CV) from 0.2% to 7.2%. Several fuel samples collected from various gas stations were analyzed and the method was successfully applied to the analysis of acetaldehyde in fuel ethanol samples.     

Characterization,stoichiometry, and stability of salivary protein–tannin complexes by ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS

Numerous protein–polyphenol interactions occur in biological and food domains particularly involving proline-rich proteins, which are representative of the intrinsically unstructured protein group (IUP). Noncovalent protein–ligand complexes are readily detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which also gives access to ligand binding stoichiometry. Surprisingly, the study of interactions between polyphenolic molecules and proteins is still an area where ESI-MS has poorly benefited, whereas it has been extensively applied to the detection of noncovalent complexes. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry has been applied to the detection and the characterization of the complexes formed between tannins and a human salivary proline-rich protein (PRP), namely IB5. The study of the complex stability was achieved by low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) measurements, which are commonly implemented using triple quadrupole, hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight, or ion trap instruments. Complexes composed of IB5 bound to a model polyphenol EgCG have been detected by ESI-MS and further analyzed by MS/MS. Mild ESI interface conditions allowed us to observe intact noncovalent PRP–tannin complexes with stoichiometries ranging from 1:1 to 1:5. Thus, ESI-MS shows its efficiency for (1) the study of PRP–tannin interactions, (2) the determination of stoichiometry, and (3) the study of complex stability. We were able to establish unambiguously both their stoichiometries and their overall subunit architecture via tandem mass spectrometry and solution disruption experiments. Our results prove that IB5·EgCG complexes are maintained intact in the gas phase.      

Bioactivity fingerprint analysis of cyclooxygenase-2 ligands from radix Aconiti by ultrafiltration–UPLC–MSn

A novel fingerprinting method, bioactivity fingerprint analysis, based on an ultrafiltration–ultraperformance liquid chromatography–multistage tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS ⁿ ) method is proposed for the quality control of herbal medicines from the bioactivity viewpoint concerning the efficacy of herbal medicines. The bioactivity fingerprints reflecting the anti-inflammatory activities of radix Aconiti and radix Aconiti preparata were established. With use of ultrafiltration UPLC–MS ⁿ , 11 cyclooxygenase-2 ligands from radix Aconiti preparata and 14 cyclooxygenase-2 ligands from radix Aconiti were found after incubation with cyclooxygenase-2. Twelve of the cyclooxygenase-2 ligands were identified by the ultraperformance UPLC–MS ⁿ method. The enrichment factor of each peak in the bioactivity fingerprint was calculated and was demonstrated to be characteristic, which makes bioactivity fingerprint analysis for the quality control of herbal medicines possible from the viewpoint of their bioactivities.

Analysis of insecticide thiacloprid by ion chromatography combined with online photochemical derivatisation and fluorescence detection in water samples

This study describes a novel application of ion chromatography coupled with post-column photochemically induced fluorimetry derivatisation in alkaline medium and fluorescence detection(IC-hv-FD) for the determination of neonicotinoid pesticide, thiacloprid. In an aqueous medium, this compound showed fluorescence with an excitation maximum at 236 nm and an emission maximum at 353 nm. The 10 mmol/L NaOH with 10%(v/v) acetonitrile solution pumped at flow rate of 1.0 mL/min was used for the chromatographic elution to isocratically separate thiacloprid on an Ion Pac1 AS 11(250 mm 4 mm i.d; 13 mm particle size, Dionex) anion-exchange column. The linear concentration range of application was 0.04–10.0 mg/L, with a relative standard deviation(RSD, n = 7) of 1.7%(for a level of 2.0 mg/L) and detection limit(LOD, S/N = 3) of 9.9 mg/L. The procedure was applied with satisfactory results to the analysis of thiacloprid in ground and lake water samples. Pesticide average spiked recoveries ranged between 95.5% and 114.0%.     

Separation and identification of selenotrisulfides in epithelial cell homogenates by LC–ICP–MS and LC–ESI-MS after incubation with selenite

To elucidate how selenite is metabolised in the intestine after oral intake, it was incubated with homogenized epithelial cells from pigs. When the metabolites were analysed by LC–ICP–MS, two major selenium metabolites were separated in the supernatant from the homogenate. These metabolites were formed instantly but disappeared within 15 min. No other selenium-containing compounds appeared during this time. Hence, the secondary reaction products were either volatilised or precipitated. To verify the identity of the compounds, a larger amount of selenite was incubated with epithelial cells. The presence of Cys-Se-SG and GS-Se-SG was verified by LC–ESI-MS. Selenotrisulfides were synthesized by reaction of L-cysteine and L-glutathione with sodium selenite. The reaction mixture contained three main products: selenodicysteine (Cys-Se-Cys), selenocysteine glutathione (Cys-Se-SG), and selenodiglutathione (GS-Se-SG). The two transient selenium compounds in the epithelial cell incubation mixture co-eluted with the synthesized Cys-Se-SG and GS-Se-SG, respectively. The identities of these compounds were verified by LC–ESI-MS. Hence, these selenium metabolites have now been identified by ESI-MS after isolation from epithelial cells.     

Rapid speciation of Se(IV) and Se(VI) by flow injection–capillary electrophoresis system with contactless conductivity detection

A flow injection–capillary electrophoresis system with contactless conductivity detection and hydrostatic-pressure-generated flow was used for the fast and sensitive speciation of Se(IV) and Se(VI). The sample throughput was 25 samples per hour using a background electrolyte solution containing 8.75 mM l-histidine (His) adjusted to pH 4.00 with acetic acid. The repeatability of peak areas (n=8) was better than 1.41% and the limits of detection were 190 g L^–1 and 7.5 g L^–1 for Se(IV) and Se(VI), respectively. The interference from carbonate, typically present in water samples, was eliminated by using a low-pH electrolyte in which carbonate is uncharged and migrates at the EOF front. The method was applied to the analysis of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in soil samples that were spiked with both selenium species and the results for recovery of both selenium species were in good agreement with their introduced concentrations.     

Speciation of aluminium in tea infusions by use of SEC and FPLC with ICP–OES and ES–MS–MS detection

Speciation of Al in tea infusions was studied by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and anion-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). Fractions were collected throughout the chromatographic separations and Al was determined “off line” by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES). Black, green, and red tea samples were investigated. The total concentration of Al in tea infusions was determined by ICP–OES and ranged between 0.5 and 4 mg dm⁻³. The pH of tea infusions ranged between 5.3 and 5.5. Data from SEC–ICP–OES analysis indicated that 10–35% of total Al in tea infusions was eluted at a retention volume corresponding to a molecular mass of approximately 3800 Da. The remaining Al was adsorbed on the column resin. The same tea infusions were also analysed by anion-exchange FPLC–ICP–OES. It was found experimentally that the same percentage of total Al as from the SEC column was eluted at a retention volume that corresponded to negatively charged Al-citrate. The remaining Al was adsorbed on the column resin. Identification of Al-binding ligands eluting under the chromatographic peak was performed by electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ES–MS–MS) analysis. It was proven that ionic Al species in tea infusions (10–35% of the total Al) corresponded to negatively charged Al-citrate. The remaining species that was adsorbed on the SEC or FPLC columns was most probably bound to phenolic compounds. Speciation of Al in tea with milk or lemon was also studied. Results for tea with milk indicated that Al-citrate was not transformed and that approximately 60% of total Al was transformed into high-molecular-mass Al species. This fraction was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfonate polyacryl gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). The results indicated that Al was occluded by milk proteins (mostly caseins). When citric acid was added to tea infusions the percentage of negatively charged Al-citrate remained either the same or increased to 40% of total Al.     

Rapid determination of Δ-Tetrahydrocannabinol in saliva by polymer monolith microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method was developed for the determination of Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in saliva by polymer monolith microextraction (PMME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (p(MAA-co-EGDMA)) monolithic capillary column was selected as the extraction medium of PMME, which showed high extraction capacity towards THC in saliva. To reach optimum PMME extraction performance, several PMME parameters were investigated, including matrix pH, flow rate for extraction, sampling volume and elution solvent. Under the optimal conditions, good extraction efficiency was obtained with no matrix interference in the process of extraction and the subsequent GC-MS analysis. In the selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode, the limit of detection (LOD) for THC was 0.68 ng/mL. The linearity range of the method was 3-300 ng/mL. Excellent reproducibility of the method was exhibited by intra- and inter-day precisions, yielding the relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) less than 12%; recoveries higher than 89%. The proposed method was proved to be rapid, sensitive, and competently applied to the determination of THC in saliva samples.     

Rapid and simple electrochemical detection of morphine on graphene–palladium-hybrid-modified glassy carbon electrode

A hybrid of reduced graphene oxide–palladium (RGO–Pd) nano- to submicron-scale particles was simultaneously chemically prepared using microwave irradiation. The electrochemical investigation of the resulting hybrid was achieved using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. RGO–Pd had a higher current response than unmodified RGO toward the oxidation of morphine. Several factors that can affect the electrochemical response were studied, including accumulation time and potential, Pd loading, scan rate, and pH of electrolyte. At the optimum conditions, the concentration of morphine was determined using differential pulse voltammetry in a linear range from 0.34 to 12 μmol L^?1 and from 14 to 100 μmol L^?1, with detection limits of 12.95 nmol L^?1 for the first range. The electrode had high sensitivity toward morphine oxidation in the presence of dopamine (DA) and of the interference compounds ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). Electrochemical determination of morphine in a spiked urine sample was performed, and a low detection limit was obtained. Validation conditions including reproducibility, sensitivity, and recovery were evaluated successfully in the determination of morphine in diluted human urine.

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Rapid screening of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in urine samples using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

In this paper a solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME–GC–MS) method is proposed for a rapid analysis of some frequently prescribed selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI)—venlafaxine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, fluoxetine, citalopram, and sertraline—in urine samples. The SPME-based method enables simultaneous determination of the target SSRI after simple in-situ derivatization of some of the target compounds. Calibration curves in water and in urine were validated and statistically compared. This revealed the absence of matrix effect and, in consequence, the possibility of quantifying SSRI in urine samples by external water calibration. Intra-day and inter-day precision was satisfactory for all the target compounds (relative standard deviation, RSD, <14%) and the detection limits achieved were <0.4 ng mL^–1 urine. The time required for the SPME step and for GC analysis (30 min each) enables high throughput. The method was applied to real urine samples from different patients being treated with some of these pharmaceuticals. Some SSRI metabolites were also detected and tentatively identified.     

Loading of free radicals on the functional graphene combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry screening method for the detection of radical-scavenging natural antioxidants

A novel free radical reaction combined with liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (FRR-LC–PDA-ESI/APCI-MS/MS) screening method was developed for the detection and identification of radical-scavenging natural antioxidants. Functionalized graphene was prepared by chemical method for loading free radicals (superoxide radical, peroxyl radical and PAHs free radical). Separation was performed with and without a preliminary exposure of the sample to specific free radicals on the functionalized graphene, which can facilitate reaction kinetics (charge transfers) between free radicals and potential antioxidants. The difference in chromatographic peak areas is used to identify potential antioxidants. The structure of the antioxidants in one sample (Swertia chirayita) is identified using MS/MS and comparison with standards. Thirteen compounds were found to possess potential antioxidant activity, and their free radical-scavenging capacities were investigated. The thirteen compounds were identified as 1,3,5-trihydroxyxanthone-8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (PD1), norswertianin (PD2), 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (PD3), 3, 3′, 4′, 5, 8-penta hydroxyflavone-6-β-d-glucopyranosiduronic acid-6′-pentopyranose-7-O-glucopyranoside (PD4), 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (PD5), swertiamarin (PS1), 2-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl-1,3,7-trihydroxylxanthone (PS2), 1,3,7-trihydroxylxanthone-8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (PL1), 1,3,8-trihydroxyl xanthone-5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (PL2), 1,3,7-trihydroxy-8-methoxyxanthone (PL3), 1,2,3-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyxanthone (PL4), 1,8-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxy xanthone (PL5) and 1,3,5,8-tetramethoxydecussatin (PL6). The reactivity and SC₅₀ values of those compounds were investigated, respectively. PD4 showed the strongest capability for scavenging PAHs free radical; PL4 showed prominent scavenging capacities in the lipid peroxidation processes; it was found that all components in S. chirayita exhibited weak reactivity in the superoxide radical scavenging capacity. The use of the free radical reaction screening method based on LC–PDA-ESI/APCI-MS/MS would provide a new approach for rapid detection and identification of radical-scavenging natural antioxidants from complex matrices.