Rapid identification and determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal and food samples via direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are naturally occurring plant toxins associated with severe liver damage if excessive ingestion. Herein, a novel analytical strategy on utilizing direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) was developed, and applied in analysis of six representative PAs. The calibration curves in the range of 10-1000 ng.mL(-1) were established, and relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 10%. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantization (LOQs) were 0.55-0.85 ng.mL(-1) and 1.83-2.82 ng.mL(-1), respectively. The feasibility of method was indicated by analysing real samples including Gynura japonica, drug tablets, granules, and fresh cow's milk. Moreover, the results of DART-MS were in good agreement with those observed by high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), but consumed less time without chromatographic separation. This research provides a facile fashion for safety assessment of herbal and food products containing PAs and presents promising applications in food, pharmaceutical and clinical analysis.

Automated summary

A novel analytical strategy utilizing DART-MS for fast analysis of PAs was developed in this research, and the results were in good agreement with HPLC-MS results but consumed less time without chromatographic separation, showing promising applications in various fields.