High-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-tandem mass spectrometry analyses of the alkaloid extracts of Amazon Psychotria species

High-performance liquid chromatography paired with UV photodiode array, ele ctrospray MS-MS and thermospray MS detectors was investigated as a method f or the analysis of alkaloids in different parts of Psychotria spp. collecte d in the Amazon. Nine products have been isolated from the vegetable materi al and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic means. These constituen ts indicate pyrrolidinoindoline and quinoline alkaloid classes. Minor compo nents were also assigned through MS fragmentations. Place and period of col lections of the plant materials are responsible for both qualitative and qu antitative variations with respect to pyrrolidinoindoline and quinoline typ e alkaloids. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.