Characterization and screening of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and N-oxides from botanicals and dietary supplements using UHPLC-high resolution mass spectrometry. (1st July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Avula, Bharathi; Sagi, Satyanarayanaraju; Wang, Yan-Hong; Zweigenbaum, Jerry; Wang, Mei; Khan, Ikhlas A.
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 178(2015)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2015-07-01
• Subjects: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids -- N-oxides -- Characterization -- LC–QToF-MS -- Botanicals -- Dietary supplements; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.01.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: UHPLC–QToF-MS method was developed for screening of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Different plant parts of 37 botanicals and 7 dietary supplements were used for study. PAs were detected in plants from three different families, viz., Asteraceae, Boraginaceae and Fabaceae . Most of the plants investigated contained macrocyclic diesters based on retronecine as their major alkaloids. Out of 7 dietary supplements analyzed, 5 showed for the presence of PAs. Abstract: The UHPLC–QToF-MS analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) from various parts of 37 botanicals and 7 products was performed. A separation by LC was achieved using a reversed-phase column and a gradient of water/acetonitrile each containing formic acid as the mobile phase. MS–MS detection was used because of its high selectivity, and ability to provide structural information. Free base and N -oxides were observed by this method. PAs were analyzed and detected in plants from three different families, viz ., Asteraceae, Boraginaceae and Fabaceae . The Asteraceae family was found to contain senecionine and lycopsamine type PAs. The Boraginaceae family contained lycopsamine and heliotrine type PAs and the Fabaceae family contained senecionine and monocrotaline type PAs. These PAs may serve as important markers for the detection of these plant materials in food and dietary supplements. PAs were identified in 44 samples by comparing their retention times, accurate mass and mass fragmentation patterns with those of 25 reference standards.