LC-ESI-MS/MS method for the enantioseparation of six flavanones

Abstract

An LC-ESI-MS/MS method enabling the enantioseparation of six flavanones (flavanone, naringenin, hesperetin, eriodictyol, liquiritigenin and pinostrobin) was developed and validated. Separation occurred in gradient mode on a Chiralpak AD-3R column. Detection was performed in positive ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source. Over a wide concentration range of 5.0 to 5000 ng mL⁻¹, the method had great determination coefficients of above 0.997, accuracy values of 85 to 115% and precision levels of 1.52 to 14.9%. The method is characterized by high selectivity and sensitivity. The capabilities of the developed method were successfully examined through real sample analysis of Menthae piperitae tincture (tincture of peppermint) and extracts of Menthae piperitae folium (peppermint leaves), and Glycyrrhizae radix (liquorice root). The method enabled the determination of 12 flavanone enantiomers in one chromatographic run.