A rapid, simultaneous and quantitative analysis of 26 ginsenosides in white and red Panax ginseng using LC–MS/MS

Abstract A quantitative analysis of ginsenoside is very important for ginseng studies because each shows different medical activity and metabolic pathway. In this study, a rapid, simultaneous, 26 ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2(R), Rg2(S), Rg3(S), Rg3(R), Rg5, Rg6, Rh1(R), Rh1(S), Rh2(R), Rh2(S), F1, F2, F3, F4, K, Mc, PPT(S), XVII, Y) in white, red Panax was established using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). The mobile phase water methanol containing 0.1% formic acid HSS T3 C18 analytical column used the chromatographic separation. four sets stereoisomers were successfully separated within 26-min run time, eluting S-isomer faster than R-isomer with higher concentration. extract diluted by 100, 400 8000 times to fit calibration range quantitated standard addition method. Matrix matched mixing 64 µL 16 solution compensating matrix effect. Such quantitation methodology dilution, matching resulted precise unambiguous products. Major observed at relatively concentrations Mc detected first time study. comprehensive system study will contribute quality evaluation, breeding culturing, metabolomics ginseng.