Comprehensive assay of flavanones in citrus juices and beverages by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS and derivatization chemistry

Flavanones, a class of flavonoids present in large amounts in fruits and vegetables, have been assayed by LC-MS/MS and derivatization chemistry using d(0)/d(3)-labelled derivatized internal standards obtained by simple reaction procedures which involves d(0)/d(3) methoxyamine. The assay method considers 13 flavanones including aglycones, neohesperidosides, rutinosides and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl derivatives. The strengths of the method consist in a relative short analysis time (16 min) and good repeatability and reproducibility values which are in most cases under 10% (RSD%). The accuracy values range from 95.4% to 111.3% whilst the LOQ values ranges from 0.05 to 0.29 mg/L depending on the analyte. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.