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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
An Efficient and Rapid HPLC-QQQ-MS Method for the Quantitation of Tropane Alkaloids in Medicinal Plants
Published on: June 12, 2026
The determination of huperzine A in European Lycopodiaceae species by HPLC-UV-MS
A Borloz1, A Marston, K Hostettmann
1Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie et Phytochimie, Section des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Genève, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract:
A rapid qualitative HPLC-UV-MS method was developed for the detection of huperzine A in Lycopodiaceae species. HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry experiments allowed the identification of the alkaloid and enabled targeted analysis of complex matrices such as herbal extracts. Huperzine A was detected by single ion monitoring of the pseudomolecular ion [M + H]+ at m/z 243.2. The alkaloid was also detected on TLC in a bioautographic enzyme assay with acetylcholinesterase to show the activity of the compound. Four Lycopodiaceae species collected in Switzerland were tested by these methods and Huperzia selago (L.) Bernh. ex Schrank et Martius was the only species found to contain huperzine A.
