DETERMINATION OF GINGEROLS IN GINGER BY ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY

A rapid and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of 6-, 8-, and 10-gingerol in the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Rosc. The chromatographic separation was achieved isocratically on a C-18 (2.1 mm x 100 mm; 1.7 mu m) column using acetonitrile: water (90: 10 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. Mass spectrometric transitions for 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 10-gingerol occurred at m/z 277.2467/177.1470, 305.3196/177. 1617, and 333.3614/177.1666, respectively. The analysis time was 3.0 min and the elution of 6-, 8-, and 10-gingerol occurred at 1.27, 1.51, and 1.80 min. The linear dynamic range was established over the concentration range of 2 and 1000 ng/mL for the analytes. The limits of detection and quantitation for 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 10-gingerol were 0.921, 0.856, and 1.069 ng/mL, and 2.951, 2.727, and 3.013 ng/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviation and accuracy were found to be satisfactory. The results showed significant variation (0.176%-0.290% w/w) in gingerols among twelve accessions and that the Patna and Lucknow varieties contained the highest concentrations and were concluded to be superior. These results may be used to devise strategies for cultivating this plant for large scale production.