A comparison of alternative sample preparation procedures for the analysis of swainsonine using LC-MS/MS.
BACKGROUND
Swainsonine, a polyhydroxy indolizidine alkaloid and known glycosidase inhibitor, is found in a number of different plants that cause a lysosomal storage disease known as locoism in the western USA. Most recently swainsonine has been analysed by LC-MS/MS after sample extraction and preparation from ion-exchange resins.


OBJECTIVE
To compare previously published sample preparation procedures with several new alternative procedures to provide methods using either commercially available solid-phase extraction equipment or procedures which significantly reduce sample preparation time.


METHODS
A previously reported and validated sample preparation method using ion-exchange resin was compared with methods using a commercially available solid-phase extraction cartridge, a solvent partitioning procedure or a single solvent extraction procedure using one of two solvents. Twenty different plant samples of varying swainsonine concentrations were prepared in triplicate and analysed by LC-MS/MS. The measured concentration of swainsonine was then statistically compared between methods.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences found between four of the five different sample preparation methods tested.


CONCLUSIONS
A commercially available SPE cartridge can be used to replace the previously used ion-exchange resin for swainsonine analysis. For very rapid analyses the SPE procedure can be eliminated and a simple, single solvent extraction step used for sample preparation.
Gardner
Dale R
DR
USDA, ARS, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, 1150 E. 1400 N., Logan, Utah, USA. dale.gardner@ars.usda.gov
Cook
Daniel
D
D027883:Astragalus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D033021:Oxytropis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D017026:Swainsonine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014481:United States
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D017026:Swainsonine