Quality evaluation of mycelial Antrodia camphorata using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry (DAD-MS)

Sandy Zhao,Kelvin Leung

doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-4

Abstract

BackgroundAntrodia camphorata (AC) is an important fungus native to Taiwanese forested regions. Scientific studies have demonstrated that extracts of AC possess a variety of pharmacological functions. This study aims to identify the full profile fingerprint of nucleosides and nucleobases in mycelial AC and to assess the quality of two commercial mycelial AC products.MethodsHigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry was employed to identify the major components in mycelial AC. The chemical separation was carried out using a gradient program on a reverse phase Alltima C18 AQ analytical column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with the mobile phase consisting of deionized water and methanol.ResultsTen nucleosides and nucleobases, two maleimide derivatives, and a sterol were identified as the major constituents in mycelial AC. These groups of chemical compounds constitute the first chromatographic fingerprint as an index for quality assessment of this medicinal fungus.ConclusionsThis study provides the first chromatographic fingerprint to assess the quality of mycelial AC.

Highlights

Antrodia camphorata (AC) is an important fungus native to Taiwanese forested regions
This study aims to identify the full profile fingerprint of nucleosides and nucleobases in mycelial AC by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLCDAD-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS) and to assess the quality of two commercial mycelial AC products
Nucleosides and nucleobases as major components of water extract The chemical components in the water-soluble fraction were characterized by comparison with authentic chemical markers and LC-ESI-MS for structural elucidation

Summary

Introduction

Antrodia camphorata (AC) is an important fungus native to Taiwanese forested regions. Scientific studies have demonstrated that extracts of AC possess a variety of pharmacological functions. This study aims to identify the full profile fingerprint of nucleosides and nucleobases in mycelial AC and to assess the quality of two commercial mycelial AC products. Before Antrodia camphorata (AC) was first officially classified as a species in 1990, its medicinal value had been greatly appreciated for many decades. This highly valuable fungus is widely recommended by the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners for food intoxication, vomiting, and poisoning [1]. Due to its medicinal value and scarcity in nature, excessive forestry cutting down of Cinnamomum kanehirai is prohibited by the Taiwanese government [3]

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