Analysis of limonoid glucosides from Citrus by electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

An electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (ESI-LC- MS) method for the detection and quantitation of limonoid glucosides has be en developed. Negative ions [NI - H+](-) characteristic of six limonoid glu cosides can be detected and quantified from selected ion monitoring chromat ograms using carminic acid as an internal standard. The described method ha s been applied to the analysis of limonoid glucoside content in various liq uid and solid Citrus spp. samples as well as complex mixtures of partially purified limonoid glucosides. Rapid and sensitive qualitative screening of samples for limonoid glucosides can also be accomplished with slight modifi cations of the method.