Structural Characterisation and Identification of Phenylethanoid Glycosides from Cistanches deserticola YC Ma by UHPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

Introduction Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) are the major active constituents of Cistanches deserticola Y.C. Ma. However, the isolation, purification and identification procedures of PhGs are difficult and time-consuming. Objective To establish a rapid and sensitive ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC)/ESI (electrospray ion source)quadrupole time of flight (QTOF)MS/MS method that could be applied to rapidly profile and identify PhGs. Methodology Seven standard compounds were used for the investigation of the fragmentation pattern. Based on the UHPLC/ESIQTOFMS/MS method, the important structural information on the types of aglycone and saccharide sequences present should be obtained. Results According to the HPLC retention behaviour, the proposed fragmentation pathways provided by high-resolution MS and MS/MS spectra and literature sources, a total of 13 PhGs in the crude extract of C. deserticola were identified or tentatively identified. Conclusion A rapid and accurate UHPLC/ESIQTOFMS/MS method was established for the identification of PhGs in the crude extract of C. deserticola. This method therefore can be used for rapid prediction of the chemical constituents and qualities of this plant. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.