Analysis of benzylisoquinoline-type alkaloids by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry and atmospheric pressure photoionization.
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids found in the Papaveraceae family play a major role in pharmaceutical biology. This is the first systematic study dealing with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) of all benzylisoquinolines found as biogenetic precursors of morphinan alkaloids. Tandem mass spectral data are presented for norlaudanosoline, laudanosoline, 4'-O-methyl-norlaudanosoline, 6-O-methyl-norlaudanosoline, norcoclaurine, coclaurine, N-methylcoclaurine, N-methyl-3'-hydroxycoclaurine, N-methyl-3'-O-methylcoclaurine, norreticuline and reticuline. This study compares results obtained using an ion trap mass spectrometer with those obtained using a triple quadrupole one. The results highlight the differences of the tandem-in-time versus the tandem-in-space principle, often hampering the development of ESI-MS/MS libraries. Additionally, the use of the atmospheric pressure photoionisation technique for the analysis of such substances is discussed.
Schmidt
Jürgen
J
Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle/S., Germany. jschmidt@ipb-halle.de
Raith
Klaus
K
Boettcher
Chotima
C
Zenk
Meinhart H
MH
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009019:Morphinans / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D028101:Papaveraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
D000470:Alkaloids; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D009019:Morphinans