Rapid LC-TOFMS Separation and Identification of Diarylheptanoids and Gingerol-Related Compounds in Dried Ginger

A tandem liquid chromatographic-time-of-flight mass spectrometric (LC-TOFMS) method has been developed for rapid separation and identification of diarylheptanoids and gingerol-related compounds in aqueous extracts of dried ginger. Total-ion-current chromatograms and mass spectra were acquired. A formula database of known compounds was established, against which components of dried ginger could be rapidly identified by matching their exact masses with theoretical masses of compounds calculated from their empirical formulae. Identification of 20 compounds was accomplished with error of 4 ppm, and further confirmation of elemental composition was obtained from the abundance of the isotope peaks. LC-TOFMS has been shown to be a useful tool for rapid identification of compounds in aqueous extracts of dried ginger.