Analysis of strychnos alkaloids using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry.
The fragmentations of four strychnos alkaloids have been investigated by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS) in the positive ion mode. Experiments using multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR-MSn) allowed us to obtain precise elemental compositions of product ions at high mass resolution. The experimental data demonstrated that the nitrogen bridge and the coordinated oxygen atom on the nitrogen bridge in the alkaloid compounds were the active sites in the MS2 fragmentations. The loss of CH3 or the OCH3 group in those alkaloids, which have an OCH3 substituent, was the dominant fragmentation mode in the MS3 fragmentations. Logical fragmentation schemes for strychnos alkaloids have been proposed and these should be useful for the identification of these compounds.
Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun Center of Mass Spectrometry, Changchun 130022, P.R. China.
Jing
J
Yan
Zhiqiang
Z
Liu
Cunyu
C
Yan
Junpeng
J
Xing
Shuying
S
Liu
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D017357:Cyclotrons; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D013331:Strychnine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D031451:Strychnos / Q000737:chemistry*; D031461:Strychnos nux-vomica / Q000737:chemistry*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
D000470:Alkaloids; C083806:brucine; D013331:Strychnine