Capillary electrophoresis-diode array detection - electrospray mass spectrometry for the analysis of selected tropane alkaloids in plant extracts

Capillary zone electrophoresis, coupled to UV and interfaced with electrosp ray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), is described for the simultaneou s analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine. On-line UV detection occurred at 22 cm from the inlet of the capillary and ESI-MS monitoring was performed along the entire length of the capillary (85 cm). An alkaline solution of 4 0 mM ammonium acetate at pH 8.5 was suitable for the analysis of the alkalo ids under consideration. Under the optimized conditions, including CE and E SI-MS parameters, the two alkaloids were resolved within a short time and w ith very high sensitivity The differentiation of hyoscyamine and its positi onal isomer littorine, commonly encountered in plant material, is also pres ented using up-front collision-induced dissociation. Finally, the developed method was applied to the analysis of these alkaloids in Belladonna leaf e xtract and in Datura candida x D. aurea hairy root extract.