Purification of Natural Products Using Mass Directed Fractionation

Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) has become a routine technique in today's laboratory. This study involves an experimental Flash Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (FC-MS) system being used with both normal and reversed phase solvent systems to screen for novel compounds during purification. The purification of an extract of Curcuma longa is used as a model for other extracts due to an interest in compounds from this plant for anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and natural coloring activities. By using mass spectrometry as a detector, potentially interesting compounds can be easily identified, prioritized, and purified in sufficient quantities to allow evaluation for biological activity.