Simultaneous quantitation of pentacyclic triterpenoids in fruit peels using liquid chromatography–single quadrupole mass spectrometry

Abstract

The simultaneous determination of pentacyclic triterpenoids, which are secondary metabolites in plants, is difficult because of the similarity in structure and minimal differences in polarity. In this study, we established a simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of pentacyclic triterpenoids based on liquid chromatography–single-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using a C30 column. The established method completely separated 13 pentacyclic triterpenoids based on their different retention times. Furthermore, the molecular weight and reliability were confirmed for ten compounds. This method was used to quantify pentacyclic triterpenoids in acetone extracts of the peels of ten varieties of apple and eight varieties of persimmon. Therefore, this method is expected to be used in a comprehensive search for pentacyclic triterpenoids in fruit-processing residues.