Rapid quantitative analysis of ginkgo flavonoids using paper spray mass spectrometry.

In this work, a method for the rapid and reliable analysis of ginkgo flavonoids was developed by using paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) assisted by microwave-assisted hydrolysis (MAH). Kaempferol-D4, quercetin-D5, and isorhamnetin-D3 were used as internal standards (IS). Samples analyses were completed by simply treating with extraction, MAH, dilution, and quantitative analysis by PS-MS. Because of the absence of HPLC separation, the PS-MS analysis time was less than 20 s. The linear ranges of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin were 1.7-86, 1.7-86, and 1.3-68 mg/L, respectively, with linear coefficients (R2) of 0.9993-0.9998. The detection limits (LODs) were 0.1, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/L. Limits of quantifications (LOQs) were all less than 0.6 mg/L. Compared with HPLC results, there are no obvious differences. It can be concluded that the PS-MS method with isotope IS is accurate for the rapid analysis of ginkgo flavonoids in extracts and related products.