Gaining insights into nutrient and metal element distributions in radix Angelicae sinensis using mass spectrometry†

Angelica sinensis is a medicine food homology plant. Its dried root (radix Angelicae sinensis, RAS) is rich in nutrients and bioactive ingredients. This study involved a quantitative analysis of 401 RAS material batches harvested from different geographical regions over a time span of four years. Quantitative statistical distributions of 24 nutrients of interest were determined using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The distribution features of 15 target metal elements were specified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy methods. A new integrated bioaccessibility response method was introduced to address the statistical analysis of content responses of multiple nutrients through one multivariate compact area. This work not only provides new insights into the compositional ingredients of RAS material to assist in quality control but also helps in understanding the potential benefits of RAS material to human health and increasing its applications.