Electrospray characterization of selected medicinal plant extracts

Extracts of selected medicinal plants were examined by electrospray mass sp ectrometry (ESI-MS). This technique allowed identification of the main comp onents of each extract; thereby providing a typical finger-print of the exa mined plants, More specifically, anthocyanins (Vaccinium myrtillus), isofla vones (Glycine max, soybean), flavonolglycosides and terpenes (Ginkgo bilob a), triterpenes (Centella asiatica), caffeoyl-quinic acids (Cynara scolymus , artichoke), ginsenosides (Panax ginseng), catechins (Camellia sinensis, g reen tea) and flavones and flavanones (Propolis) were detected rapidly at l evels in the range of 0.1-1 mu g/ml, using 0.2-1 mg/ml of each medicinal pl ant extract. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.