Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry method for the rapid identification of citrus limonoid glucosides in citrus juices and extracts

0308-8146/$ see front matter Published by Elsevier doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.04.050 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 510 559 5898; fax E-mail address: [email protected] (A.P. A rapid and selective liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS) method to screen citrus samples for limonoid glucosides and estimate their relative concentrations has been developed. This method utilises a phenyl stationary phase, whereas previous methods have relied on C-18. Samples may be analysed directly without treatment other than dilution. Peak areas from the extracted deprotonated molecular ion mass signals for individual limonoid glucosides were normalised against the sum of the areas to establish their relative concentrations. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of various juice, extracts, and liquid samples of partially purified limonoid glucosides. Published by Elsevier Ltd.