title: Simultaneous analysis of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and N-oxides in comfrey root by LC-ion trap mass spectrometry.
abstract: The purpose of the current study was to develop a LC-MS(n) method for the analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in comfrey. Published data presents an extensive list of PAs and their N-oxides present in comfrey. However, standards are not commercially available for any of the PAs typically present in comfrey. Those PAs that are not stereoisomers were readily resolved on a C(18) column using a water-acetonitrile gradient as the mobile phase. The use of a selective technique, LC-MS/MS, allowed us to identify groups of PAs and their N-oxides, as well as identify the number of PAs present in each group, including those that were not completely resolved chromatographically.
authors.affiliation: US Food and Drug Administration, Forensic Chemistry Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237-3097, USA.
authors.forename: Jorgelina C A
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wuilloud
authors.forename: Samuel R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gratze
authors.forename: Bryan M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wolnik
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D020844:Comfrey / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D010087:Oxides / Q000032:analysis*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids