Direct analysis and identification of triterpene glycosides by LC/MS in black cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa, and in several commercially available black cohosh products

A method to directly identify triterpene glycosides using reversed-phase li quid chromatography with positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC/(+)APCIMS) was developed. Based on the analysis of th e molecular weight, fragment ions, selected ion chromatograms, a number of triterpene glycosides, including actein, 27-deoxyactein, cimicfugoside M, a nd cimicifugoside, from Cimicifuga racemoso were studied. A chromone, cimif ugin, from C. foetida was also identified. Cimicifugoside M and cimifugin c an specifically serve as indicators for species identification. The method can, therefore, be used to distinguish blade cohosh products from among dif ferent plant species for quality control purposes.