Qualitative and quantitative analysis of alkaloids in Eurycoma longifolia by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS

Abstract

A sensitive and efficient method was established and validated for qualitative and quantitative analysis of total alkaloids from the extract of Eurycoma longifolia by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS). The HPLC-Q-TOF-MS conditions are as follows: Welch Ultimate XB-C_(18) column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) with acetonitrile(containing 0.1% formic acid)-0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase for gradient elution. The UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS conditions are as below: Agilent Eclipse Plus C_(18) column(2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm) with acetonitrile(containing 0.1% formic acid) and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase for gradient elution. MS data were collected by electrospray ionization in positive ion mode. According to the comparison with reference standards and the accurate masses of molecules, a total of 17 alkaloids in E. longifolia extract were identified by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS quantitative analysis result of 3 alkaloids showed that the linear ranges of them were good(r≥0.999 7) and the overall recoveries ranged from 108.8%-110.2%, with RSDs of 2.9%-5.3%. The method is accurate, reliable, and efficient, which can comprehensively reflect the constituents and content of alkaloids in E. longifolia. The result can serve as a reference for further elucidating its therapeutic material basis and quality control.