Search Results (11)

Background: The rapid development of refrigerated transportation technology for fresh vegetables has extended their shelf life. Some vegetables may appear undamaged on the surface, but their freshness may have decreased, often resulting in the phenomenon of passing off inferior vegetables as good. It is very important to establish a detection method for identifying and assessing the freshness of vegetables. Methods: Therefore, based on metabolomics methods, this study innovatively employed UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS and GC–MS techniques to investigate the metabolites in the refrigerated storage of four vegetables, namely chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla L), lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. ramose Hort.), crown daisy (Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), exploring key biomarkers for assessing their freshness. UPLC-TQ MS was used for the quantitative analysis of key metabolites. Results: The results showed that arginine biosynthesis and the metabolism of alanine, aspartate, and glutamate are key pathways in vegetable metabolism. Four key metabolites were selected from chard, five from lettuce, three from crown daisy, and five from tomato. Conclusions: Comparing the content of substances such as alanine and arginine can help infer the freshness and nutritional value of the vegetables, providing important references for detecting spoilage, determining storage time, and improving transportation conditions. This research holds significant relevance for the vegetable transportation industry. Full article

In this study, we analyzed the components of Banhasasim-tang (BHSST), a traditional prescription used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Qualitative analysis was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), and a total of 42 compounds were accurately and unambiguously identified by comparison with the corresponding reference standards and mass spectrometry (MS) results. A simultaneous quantitative method for analysis of the 22 identified compounds was established using UHPLC coupled with a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC-TQ-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The established method was validated in terms of linearity (R², 0.9990–0.9996), recovery (RSD, 0.37–3.60%), and intraday/interday precision (RSD, 0.35–8.90%). This method was applied to three batches of BHSST samples and revealed that two flavonoids from S. baicalensis, baicalin and wagonoside, were the most abundant components. This study presents the first comprehensive method for simultaneously identifying and quantifying the components of BHSST. Our method offers a valuable tool for the quality control of BHSST and serves as a foundational reference for further research on similar preparations. Full article

In this study, a method to both qualitatively and quantitively analyze the components of Oryeong-san (ORS), which is composed of five herbal medicines (Alisma orientale Juzepzuk, Polyporus umbellatus Fries, Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi, Poria cocos Wolf, and Cinnamomum cassia Presl) and is prescribed in traditional Oriental medicine practices, was established for the first time. First, ORS components were profiled using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry, and 19 compounds were clearly identified via comparison against reference standard compounds. Subsequently, a quantitative method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was established to simultaneously measure the identified compounds. Nineteen compounds were accurately quantified using the multiple-reaction-monitoring mode and used to analyze the sample; we confirmed that coumarin was the most abundant compound. The method was validated, achieving good linearity (R² ≤ 0.9991), recovery (RSD, 0.11–3.15%), and precision (RSD, 0.35–9.44%). The results suggest that this method offers a strategy for accurately and effectively determining the components of ORS, and it can be used for quality assessment and management. Full article

Tasmannia lanceolata, Diploglottis bracteata and Syzygium aqueum are understudied native Australian plants. This study aimed to characterise the non-anthocyanin phenolic and organic acid profiles of the aqueous extracts obtained from the leaves of T. lanceolata and fruits of D. bracteata and S. aqueum by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS and UHPLC-TQ-MS/MS. A total of 39, 22, and 27 non-anthocyanin polyphenols were tentatively identified in T. lanceolata, D. bracteata, and S. aqueum extracts, respectively. Furthermore, sugars and ascorbic acid contents as well as in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts were determined. Response surface methodology was applied to achieve an extract blend with a strong inhibitory effect against Pseudomonas viridiflava, the main cause of soft rot in vegetables, Bacillus subtilis, Rhodotorula diobovata and Alternaria alternata. The identified compounds including organic acids (e.g., quinic, citric and malic acids) and polyphenols (e.g., catechin, procyanidins, and ellagitannins) might contribute to the observed antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, this study provides the most comprehensive phenolic profiles of these three underutilised native Australian plants to date. Full article

Analytical methods for the quantification of the new 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial tafenoquine (TQ) in human blood, plasma and urine, and the 5,6-orthoquinone tafenoquine metabolite (5,6-OQTQ) in human plasma and urine have been validated. The procedure involved acetonitrile extraction of samples followed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Chromatography was performed using a Waters Atlantis T3 column with a gradient of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.5 mL per minute for blood and plasma. Urine analysis was the same but with methanol containing 0.1% formic acid replacing acetonitrile mobile phase. The calibration range for TQ and 5,6-OQTQ in plasma was 1 to 1200 ng/mL, and in urine was 10 to 1000 ng/mL. Blood calibration range for TQ was 1 to 1200 ng/mL. Blood could not be validated for 5,6-OQTQ due to significant signal suppression. The inter-assay precision (coefficient of variation %) was 9.9% for TQ at 1 ng/mL in blood (n = 14) and 8.2% for TQ and 7.1% for 5,6-OQTQ at 1 ng/mL in plasma (n = 14). For urine, the inter-assay precision was 8.2% for TQ and 6.4% for 5,6-OQTQ at 10 ng/mL (n = 14). TQ and 5,6-OQTQ are stable in blood, plasma and urine for at least three months at both −80 °C and −20 °C. Once validated, the analytical methods were applied to samples collected from healthy volunteers who were experimentally infected with Plasmodium falciparum to evaluate the blood stage antimalarial activity of TQ and to determine the therapeutic dose estimates for TQ, the full details of which will be published elsewhere. In this study, the measurement of TQ and 5,6-OQTQ concentrations in samples from one of the four cohorts of participants is reported. Interestingly, TQ urine concentrations were proportional to parasite recrudescence times post dosing To our knowledge, this is the first description of a fully validated method for the measurement of TQ and 5,6-OQTQ quantification in urine. Full article

Jinmu-tang (JMT) is a traditional herbal medicine consisting of five herbal medicines: Poria cocos Wolf, Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi, and Aconitum carmichaeli Debeaux. In this study, the JMT components were profiled using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS, and 23 compounds were identified and characterized. In addition, UPLC-TQ-MS/MS analysis was performed in the positive and negative ion modes of an electrospray ionization source for the simultaneous quantification of the identified compounds. The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was established to increase the sensitivity of the quantitative analysis, and the method was verified through linearity, recovery, and precision. All analytes showed good linearity (R2 ≤ 0.9990). Moreover, the recovery and the relative standard deviation of precision were 86.19–114.62% and 0.20–8.00%, respectively. Using the established MRM analysis method, paeoniflorin was found to be the most abundant compound in JMT. In conclusion, these results provide information on the constituents of JMT and can be applied to quality control and evaluation. Full article

Fungal quinones can be used for a variety of applications, such as pharmaceuticals, food colorants, textile dyes, and battery electrolytes. However, when producing quinones by fungal cultivation, many considerations arise regarding the feasibility of a production system, such as the quinone yield, purity, ease of extraction, and the co-production of mycotoxins. In this work, we display the initial screening of filamentous fungi for quinone production and evaluate their potential for future optimization. We investigated toluquinone (TQ) potentially produced by Penicillium cf. griseofulvum, terreic acid (TA) produced by Aspergillus parvulus and A. christenseniae, and anthraquinone (AQ) monomers and dimers produced by Talaromyces islandicus. The strains grew on various agar and/or liquid media and were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-QTOF MS). In the case of AQs, feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) was used for the identification of AQ analogs. TQ was not observed in the production strains. TA constituted one of the major chromatogram peaks and was secreted into the growth medium by A. parvulus. The AQs constituted many major chromatogram peaks in the mycelium extracts and endocrocin and citreorosein were observed extracellularly in small amounts. Full article

A fast, accurate and reliable ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous quantification of ivermectin (IVER), doramectin (DORA), and moxidectin (MOXI) in bovine plasma. A priority for sample preparation was the eradication of possible infectious diseases to avoid travel restrictions. The sample preparation was based on protein precipitation using 1% formic acid in acetonitrile, followed by Ostro^® 96-well plate pass-through sample clean-up. The simple and straightforward procedure, along with the short analysis time, makes the current method unique and suitable for a large set of sample analyses per day for PK studies. Chromatographic separation was performed using an Acquity UPLC HSS-T3 column, with 0.01% acetic acid in water and methanol, on an Acquity H-Class ultra-high performance liquid chromatograph (UHPLC) system. The MS/MS instrument was a Xevo TQ-S^® mass spectrometer, operating in the positive electrospray ionization mode and two multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions were monitored per component. The MRM transitions of m/z 897.50 > 753.4 for IVER, m/z 921.70 > 777.40 for DORA and m/z 640.40 > 123.10 for MOXI were used for quantification. The method validation was performed using matrix-matched calibration curves in a concentration range of 1 to 500 ng/mL. Calibration curves fitted a quadratic regression model with 1/x2 weighting (r ≥ 0.998 and GoF ≤ 4.85%). Limits of quantification (LOQ) values of 1 ng/mL were obtained for all the analytes, while the limits of detection (LOD) were 0.02 ng/mL for IVER, 0.03 ng/mL for DORA, and 0.58 ng/mL for MOXI. The results of within-day (RSD < 6.50%) and between-day (RSD < 8.10%) precision and accuracies fell within acceptance ranges. No carry-over and no peak were detected in the UHPLC-MS/MS chromatogram of blank samples showing good specificity of the method. The applicability of the developed method was proved by an analysis of the field PK samples. Full article

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) flower is a traditional medicine applied to alleviate symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). However, its flavonoid-based composition has not been sufficiently recognized, and the data supporting its traditional application are lacking. In the work, 43 constituents were detected by UHPLC–PDA–ESI–TQ–MS/MS (flavonoids, phenolic acids, flavanols, and coumarins), including 31 reported in the flower for the first time. The quantitative HPLC–PDA study (developed and validated for quality control purposes) indicated the fractionated extraction as an efficient method for enhancing the total polyphenol content (TPHC) in the extracts (up to 414.06 mg/g) and kaempferol glycosides as their dominant constituents (75.05–82.14% TPHC). The activity studies showed significant scavenging properties of the extracts and their constituents towards reactive oxygen species (especially against highly reactive hydroxyl radical, with capacities up to 7.85 mmol ascorbic acid equivalents/g). Moreover, the analytes relevantly protected human plasma biomolecules from peroxynitrite-induced oxidative/nitrative damage; at 1–50 µg/mL, they hindered the protein nitration and lipid peroxidation, decreasing the levels of 3-nitrotyrosine (by up to 50%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (by up to 70%), respectively. The extracts also averted the depletion of plasma thiols (by up to 67%) and improved the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity of plasma. The demonstrated mechanisms might be partly responsible for the efficacy of the flower in CVI. Additionally, the anti-aggregatory and anticoagulant properties of the extracts were found only mild or negligible, which suggests that they may be safely applied with drugs impacting the coagulation process. Full article

Boswellic acids (BAs), as the main components of frankincense, exhibit notable anti-inflammatory properties. However, their pharmaceutical development has been severely limited by their poor oral bioavailability. Traditional Chinese medicinal processing, called Pao Zhi, is believed to improve bioavailability, yet the mechanism is still completely unclear. Previous research suggested that the bioavailability of a drug can be influenced by physical properties. This paper was designed to investigate the physical properties of frankincense and processed frankincense, including the surface morphology, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), specific surface area, porosity, and viscosity. The differences in the intestinal absorption characteristics and equilibrium solubilities between frankincense and processed frankincense were determined by an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-TQ-MS) analysis method. The results showed that vinegar processing can alter the surface morphology, decrease the particle size and PDI, raise the absolute values of the ZP, specific surface area and porosity, and drop the viscosity of frankincense. Meanwhile, the rates of absorption and dissolution of the main BAs were increased after the processing of frankincense. The present study proves that the physical properties were changed after processing, in which case the bioavailability of frankincense was enhanced. Full article

To explore the nutrients in roots of Angelica sinensis (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, ASR), a medicinal and edible plant, and evaluate its nutritional value, a rapid and reliable UHPLC-TQ-MS method was established and used to determine the potential nutritional compounds, including nucleosides, nucleobases and amino acids, in 50 batches of ASR samples obtained using two drying methods. The results showed that ASR is a healthy food rich in nucleosides, nucleobases and amino acids, especially arginine. The total average content of nucleosides and nucleobases in all ASR samples was 3.94 mg/g, while that of amino acids reached as high as 61.79 mg/g. Principle component analysis showed that chemical profile differences exist between the two groups of ASR samples prepared using different drying methods, and the contents of nutritional compounds in samples dried with the tempering-intermittent drying processing method (TIDM) were generally higher than those dried using the traditional solar processing method. The above results suggest that ASR should be considered an ideal healthy food and TIDM could be a suitable drying method for ASR when taking nucleosides, nucleobases and amino acids as the major consideration for their known human health benefits. Full article