PHYTOECDYSTEROID ANALYSIS BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY THERMOSPRAY MASS-SPECTROMETRY

The potential of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with thermospray interface to identify and analyse ecdysteroids has been investigated. The response of eight different ecdysteroids and their acetonide derivatives is studied by positive- and negative-ion detection as well as with single-ion monitoring and scan mass detection modes. The usefulness of this technique for ecdysteroid identification and quantitation is discussed and, finally, the identification of a new phytoecdysteroid isolated from Polypodium vulgare is presented as an application of this technology. A fast and easy procedure for the extraction and purification of phytoecdysteroids is also described.