Magnetic solid-phase extraction of gingerols in ginger containing products

In this study, a graphene oxide/magnetite (GO-Fe3O4) nanocomposite was synthesized and used as a sorbent in the magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of gingerols from fresh ginger rhizomes, ginger extracts, commercial tea samples, ginger candies, thermogenic supplements, and tonic water. An MSPE method was developed, and the main influencing parameters in the sample preparation process were investigated. After GO-Fe3O4 based MSPE, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 10-gingerol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The whole GO-Fe3O4-MSPE-LC-MS/MS method proved high selectivity and consistent analytical confidence. The limits of detection (LOD) ranged between 2 and 3 mu g L-1. Intraday and inter-day RSDs fluctuated between 1.7 -13.4% and 0.4-10.9%, respectively. Weighted calibration revealed good linearity within the studied range (5-200 mu g L-1) and guaranteed appropriate accuracy (relative residues < 25%). MSPE with GO-Fe3O4 demonstrated to be a practical, fast, efficient, high-throughput, and environmental-friendly sample preparation technique for determining of gingerols in commercial products, and its hyphenation with LC-MS/MS analysis yield a valuable analytical tool for the confident quality control of commercial ginger-containing products.

Automated summary

In this study, a graphene oxide/magnetite (GO-Fe3O4) nanocomposite was synthesized and utilized in the magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of gingerols from various ginger products. The developed MSPE method combined with HPLC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated high selectivity and consistent analytical confidence, with LODs ranging between 2 and 3 μg L-1. The technique showed good linearity, accuracy, and practicality, making it a valuable tool for quality control of commercial ginger-containing products.