title: Solid-phase extraction and HPLC-MS profiling of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides: a case study of Echium plantagineum.
abstract: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides can be extracted from the dried methanolic extracts of plant material using dilute aqueous acid. The subsequent integration of solid-phase extraction (with a strong cation exchanger) of the alkaloids and N-oxides from the aqueous acid solution, together with analysis using HPLC-ESI/MS, provides a method for the simultaneous profiling of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides in plant samples and the collection of useful structural data as an aid in their identification. The N-oxide character of the analytes may be confirmed by treating analytical samples with a redox resin and observing the formation of the corresponding parent pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The present case study of Echium plantagineum highlighted a higher ratio of N-oxides to the parent tertiary bases than has been previously reported. Furthermore, a higher proportion of acetylated pyrrolizidine-N-oxides was observed in the flower heads relative to the leaves. Six pyrrolizidine alkaloids or pyrrolizidine-N-oxides, not previously reported from E. plantagineum, were tentatively identified on the basis of MS and biogenetic considerations. Three of these, 3'-O-acetylintermedine/lycopsamine, leptanthine-N-oxide and 9-O-angelylretronecine-N-oxide, have been reported elsewhere, whilst three others, 3'-O-acetylechiumine-N-oxide, echimiplatine-N-oxide and echiuplatine-N-oxide, appear unreported from any other source.
authors.affiliation: Plant-associated Toxins Research Group, CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Private Bag 24, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia. steve.colegate@csiro.au
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Colegate
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Edgar
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Knill
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D036661:Echium / Q000737:chemistry*; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids