Rapid identification of saponins in plant extracts by electrospray ionization multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) and liquid chromatography coupled with on-line mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) wer e applied to characterize saponins in crude extracts from Panax ginseng. Th e MSn data of the [M - H](-) ions of saponins can provide structural inform ation on the sugar sequences of the saccharide chains and on the sapogins o f saponins. By ESI-MSn, non-isomeric saponins and isomeric saponins with di fferent aglycones can be determined rapidly in plant extracts. LC/MS/MS is a good complementary analytical tool for determination of isomeric saponins . These approaches constitute powerful analytical tools far rapid screening and structural assignment of saponins in plant extracts. Copyright (C) 200 0 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.