LC-DAD-ESI-MS-MS for Characterization and Quantitative Analysis of Diterpenoids from Coleus forskohlii

Qualitative characterization and quantitative analysis of labdane diterpenoids from Coleus forskohlii have been achieved by liquid chromatography hyphenated with photodiode-array detection and tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI-MS (n) ). By use of this method, thirteen forskolin-type diterpenoids were identified in the crude extract on the basis of their fragmentation mechanisms. Fragmentation rules were deduced from nine forskolin-type standards by ESI-MS in positive-ion mode. It was found that fragmentation behavior varied with the position and number of the substituents on the skeleton; this could be used for convenient identification of this type of compound. Six marker diterpenoids were also quantified, and the quality of both the cultivated and wild plants was evaluated.