Determination of bitter orange alkaloids in dietary supplement Standard Reference Materials by liquid chromatography with atmospheric-pressure ionization mass spectrometry

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2007 Sep;389(1):197-205. doi: 10.1007/s00216-007-1409-6. Epub 2007 Jun 20.

Abstract

A liquid chromatographic atmospheric-pressure ionization electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-API-ES-MS) method has been developed for the determination of five bitter orange alkaloids (synephrine, octopamine, n-methyltyramine, tyramine, and hordenine) in bitter orange-containing dietary supplement standard reference materials (SRMs). The materials represent a variety of natural, extracted, and processed sample matrices. Two extraction techniques were evaluated: pressurized-fluid extraction (PFE) and sonication extraction. The influence of different solvents, extraction temperatures, and pH were investigated for a plant material and a processed sample. The LC method uses a new approach for the separation of highly polar alkaloids. A fluorinated, silica-based stationary phase separated the five alkaloids and the internal standard terbutaline in less than 20 min. This method enabled the determination of the dominant alkaloid synephrine and other minor alkaloids in a variety of dietary supplement SRMs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / analysis*
  • Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Citrus sinensis / chemistry*
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis*
  • Dietary Supplements / standards*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Pressure
  • Reference Standards
  • Sonication
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Biological Products
  • Plant Extracts