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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
An Efficient and Rapid HPLC-QQQ-MS Method for the Quantitation of Tropane Alkaloids in Medicinal Plants
Published on: June 12, 2026
Qualitative and quantitative HPLC/MS determination of proanthocyanidins in areca nut (Areca catechu)
Qingli Wu1, Yonghong Yang, James E Simon
1New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Cook College, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA. qlwu@aesop.rutgers.edu
Abstract:
Proanthocyanidins (PACs) in areca nut (Areca catechu L.) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and compared to grape seed extract. Under optimized conditions, the separated PACs were individually analyzed and identified on the basis of their [M+H]+ peaks. The PAC distribution in areca nut was found to be very similar to that in grape seed, but lacking any gallate conjugates. Based on reverse-phase HPLC separation, the PAC monomers (+)-catechin (CA, 1) and (-)-epicatechin (EC; 2) were successfully quantified by ESI-MS in the selected-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode, (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC; 3) being used as internal standard. Detailed quality and validation assays showed that the accuracy and repeatability (n = 8) were within 10% for each analyte.
