Strategies for differentiation of isobaric flavonoids using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Flavonoids are a class of secondary plant metabolites existing in great variety in nature. Due to this variety, identification can be difficult, especially as overlapping compounds in both chromatographic separations and mass spectrometric detection are common. Methods for distinguishing isobaric flavonoids using MS² and MS³ have been developed. Chromatographic separation of various plant extracts was done with RP‐HPLC and detected with positive ESI‐MS operated in information‐dependent acquisition (IDA) mode. Two methods for the determination of flavonoid identity and substitution pattern, both featuring IDA criteria, were used together with the HPLC equipment. A third method where the collision energy was ramped utilized direct infusion. With the developed strategies, it is possible to differentiate between many isobaric flavonoids. Various classes of flavonoids were found in all of the plant extracts, in the red onion extract 45 components were detected and for 29 of them the aglycone was characterized, while the substituents were tentatively identified for 31 of them. For the strawberry extract, those numbers were 66, 30 and 60, and for the cherry extract 99, 56 and 71. The great variety of flavonoids, several of them isobaric, found in each of the extracts highlights the need for reliable methods for flavonoid characterization. Methods capable of differentiating between most of the isobars analyzed have been developed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrasound/microwave‐assisted extraction and comparative analysis of bioactive/toxic indole alkaloids in different medicinal parts of Gelsemium elegans Benth by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with MS/MS

Indole alkaloids are the main bioactive/toxic components in Gelsemium elegans Benth. To determine the distribution and contents of indole alkaloids in its different medicinal parts, a novel and rapid method using ultra‐high performance LC (UPLC) with MS/MS has been established and validated with an optimized ultrasound/microwave‐assisted extraction method. Four constituents, namely, humantenidine, humantenmine, gelsemine, and koumine, were simultaneously determined in 6 min. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an ultra‐high performance LC BEH C₁₈ column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (containing 0.1% formic acid both in methanol and water) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole electrospray MS/MS by positive ion multiple‐reaction monitoring mode. All the analytes showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.9934) within a concentration range from 0.1–25 μg/mL with a LOQ of 25–50 ng/mL. The overall intra‐ and intervariations of four components were <4.7% with an accuracy of 97.3–101.3%. The analysis results showed that there were remarkable differences in the distribution and contents of four chemical markers in the roots, stems, and leaves of G. elegans Benth. The findings can provide necessary and meaningful information for the rational utilization of its resources.     

Reglucosylation of the Benzoxazinoid DIMBOA with Inversion of Stereochemical Configuration is a Detoxification Strategy in Lepidopteran Herbivores

Benzoxazinoids are chemical defenses against herbivores and are produced by many members of the grass family. These compounds are stored as stable glucosides in plant cells and require the activity of glucosidases to release the corresponding toxic aglucones. In maize leaves, the most abundant benzoxazinoid is (2R)‐DIMBOA‐Glc, which is converted into the toxic DIMBOA upon herbivory. The ways in which three Spodoptera species metabolize this toxin were investigated. (2S)‐DIMBOA‐Glc, an epimer of the initial plant compound, was observed in the insect frass, and the associated glucosyltransferase activity was detected in the insect gut tissue. The epimeric glucoside produced by the insect was found to be no longer reactive towards plant glucosidases and thus cannot be converted into a toxin. Stereoselective reglucosylation thus represents a detoxification strategy in Spodoptera species that might help to explain their success as agricultural pests on benzoxazinoid‐containing crops.     

A Volatile Lactone of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus,Pathogen of European Ash Dieback,Inhibits Host Germination

The largely unknown secondary metabolism of the plant pathogenic fungus Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus was investigated by use of the CLSA method. A set of volatile lactones was identified by GC/MS. The lactones were synthesized and used in bioassays in which one of the compounds was found to be a strong germination inhibitor for ash seeds, causing necroses in the plant tissue.     

川芎栽培土壤中重金属镉的动态监测

目的：连续多年监测彭州敖平镇川芎药材栽培土壤中重金属镉的含量,分析其对川芎药材中镉含量的影响。方法根据前期研究结果选取敖平镇部分川芎种植地固定采集样品。按照国家标准方法,采取0～20 cm连续根系土柱和川芎药材。采用火焰法对抽样土壤及川芎药材中镉的含量进行检测分析。结果采样区域内土壤中镉含量均符合国家二级土壤环境质量标准;部分土壤中镉的含量呈明显增长趋势。结论川芎种植土壤中镉含量与环境有较高关联,水泥厂粉尘等污染源是土壤中镉含量增加的重要来源。     

Chemical characterisation of bioactive compounds in Medicago sativa growing in the desert of Oman

Medicago sativa Linn growing in Omani desert were chemically characterised using flame photometry, inductively coupled plasma, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. HPLC analyses were performed to determine the phenolics and flavonoids present in M. sativa. The major compounds detected in M. sativa leaves were protchaechenic acid (3.22%), hydroxyl benzoic acid (1.05%), β-Phenyl caffate (0.97%) and kaempherol (0.89%). Pterostilbene, a cholesterol-lowering compound, was detected in M. sativa.     

气相色谱-质谱法测定水中25种挥发性有机物及其在污水厂应急溯源中的应用

采用吹扫捕集-气相色谱-质谱法测定水中25种挥发性有机物的含量,并研究了其在污水厂应急溯源中的应用。25种挥发性有机物在一定的质量浓度范围内与其峰面积呈线性关系,方法的检出限(3.143s)在0.6~5.0μg·L-1之间。以空白样品为基体进行加标回收试验,所得回收率在91.6%~102%之间,测定值的相对标准偏差(n=6)在2.7%~4.6%之间。在一起污水厂冲击案例中,通过污水管网采样及污水样品分析,确定污染因子二氯甲烷,并根据二氯甲烷浓度变化快速锁定污染源头,确保污水厂出口水质达标。     

植物酯酶应用于有机磷农药残留分析技术的研究进展

有机磷农药残留在食品中,进入人体危害人类健康.因此,快速而灵敏的检测技术是预防农药残留危害的前提条件.而酶抑制技术正是一项快速检验技术.本文作者介绍了农药残留分析的现状,详细分析了植物酯酶应用于农药残留分析技术的研究进展.     

Eight new polyketide metabolites from the fungus Pestalotiopsis vaccinii endogenous with the mangrove plant Kandelia candel (L.) Druce

Seven new prenylated phenols, vaccinols A–G (1–7), and one new naphthalene derivative, vaccinal A (8), together with five known phenol derivatives (9–13) were isolated from Pestalotiopsis vaccinii (cgmcc3.9199) endogenous with the mangrove plant Kandelia candel (L.) Druce (Rhizophoraceae). The new structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, optical rotation, CD spectra, quantum ECD calculations. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of compound 1 was unambiguously elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis using the Flack parameter. Most new compounds were tested for their antiviral (EV71), cytotoxic, antituberculosis, and anti-inflammatory effects. Among them, compound 8 exhibited in vitro anti-enterovirus 71 (EV71) with IC₅₀ value of 19.2 μM. In addition, 8 showed potent COX-2 inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 1.8 μM.