Mass detection for chromatographers: Benefits for the analysis of herbal medicines

Traditional mass spectrometers are often perceived as being too costly and complicated for routine use in QC labs, but this is no longer the case. Compact mass detectors that are easy to use and which integrate into existing LC workflows are now available and provide unique benefits for the detection of weak UV absorbers and for resolving analytes from matrix interferences in herbal medicinal products [1,2]. In this poster we illustrate how mass detection provides significantly improved selectivity for the analysis of parthenolide – a biologically important compound found in Feverfew herb that has a very poor natural UV chromophore [3,4] – in Feverfew raw materials and complex multi-herb medicinal products. These benefits are illustrated in the figure below, where the presence of parthenolide in a multi-herb dietary supplement is obscured by the presence of a strongly UV absorbing interference at the same retention time. Mass detection provides enhanced selectivity for parthenolide, allowing for accurate detection and quantification. By using this approach, parthenolide content was measured at 0.45 mg/serving in the aforementioned supplement.

Acknowledgements: We thank the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi for providing authentic samples of Feverfew herb.

Keywords: LC-MS, quality control, herbal medicines.

References:

[1] Benvenuti ME. Selective Quantitative Determination of Water Soluble Vitamins in Various Food Matrices Using the ACUQITY UPLC H-Class System and ACQUITY QDa Detector 2014 Waters Application Note No. 720004960EN

[2] Benvenuti ME. A Method for the Rapid and Simultaneous Analysis of Sweeteners in Various Food Products Using the ACQUITY H-Class System and ACQUITY QDa Detector 2014 Waters Application Note No. 720005017EN

[3] Pareek A, Suthar M, Rathore GS, Bansal V. Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium L.): A systematic review. Pharmacogn Rev 2011; 5: 103 – 110

[4] Avula B, Navarrete A, Joshi VC, Khan IA. Quantification of parthenolide in Tanacetum species by LC-UV/LC-MS and microscopic comparison of Mexican/US feverfew samples. Pharmazie 2006; 61: 590 – 594