Qualitative and quantitative analysis of saponins in the flower bud of Panax ginseng (Ginseng Flos) by UFLC‐Triple TOF‐MS/MS and UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS. Issue 3 (13th December 2019) - Shi, Jingjing
Abstract: Introduction: Ginseng Flos (GF), the flower bud of Panax ginseng, is a worthy functional food with medicinal potential. A few studies have focused on the comprehensive and systematic analysis of its major bioactive constituents. Objective: The aims are to develop the methods of ultra‐fast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole‐time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC‐Triple TOF‐MS/MS) and ultra‐fast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole‐linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS) for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the saponins in GF. Methodology: UFLC‐Triple TOF‐MS/MS and UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS were established for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the saponins in GF, separately. Results: Fifty‐one saponins were identified in GF using UFLC‐Triple TOF‐MS/MS method; among them, 21 saponins were characterized by comparing with standards. Furthermore, 12 ginsenosides (ginsenoside Re, Rg1, Rf, 20(S)‐Rg2, 20(R)‐Rg2, Rb1, Rc, Ro, Rb2, F1, Rd, and F2 ) were synchronously determined by UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS method after the extraction with 70% methanol. This UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS method showed good linearity ( r >0.9991), the interday and intraday precision, repeatability and stability were all satisfied, the average recoveries of standard addition for the compounds were between 94.01% and 105.16%, and the relative standard deviations were less than 5%. Conclusion: The results are available for the comprehensive quality control and assessment of GF and its relative products. Abstract : GinsengFlos(GF), the flower bud of Panax ginseng, is a worthy functional food with medicinal potential. The method of triple quadrupole‐time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC‐Triple TOF‐MS/MS) and ultra‐fast performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole‐linear ion trap mass tandem spectrometry (UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS) for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the saponins in GF. 51 saponins were identified in GF using the UFLC‐Triple TOF‐MS/MS method, among them, 21 saponins were determined by UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS method after the extraction with 70% methanol.