Simultaneous determination of eight pyrrolizidine alkaloids in various parts of Eupatorium lindleyanum by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and risk assessments based on a real‐life exposure scenario

Abstract

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are toxins having hepatotoxic and carcinogenic effects on human health. A ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry technique was developed for the first time for the simultaneous determination of eight pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including four diastereoisomers (intermedine, lycopsamine, rinderine, and echinatine) and their respective N‐oxide forms, in different parts of Eupatorium lindleyanum. The risk assessment method for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium lindleyanum was explored using the margin of exposure strategy for the first time based on a real‐life exposure scenario. Differences were found in all eight pyrrolizidine alkaloids in various parts of Eupatorium lindleyanum. Besides, the total levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium lindleyanum followed the order of root > flower > stem > leaf. Moreover, the risk assessment data revealed that the deleterious effects on human health were unlikely at exposure times of less than 200, 37, and 12 days during the lifetimes of Eupatorium lindleyanum leaves, stems, and flowers, respectively. This study reported both the contents of and risk associated with Eupatorium lindleyanum pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The comprehensive application of the novel ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry technique alongside the risk assessment approach provided a scientific basis for quality evaluation and rational utilization of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium lindleyanum to improve public health safety.

Method for trace determination of N‐nitrosamines impurities in metronidazole benzoate using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with atmospheric‐pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

“…(2) High sensitivity: The method exhibited high sensitivity at low LOD and LOQ of the six NAs impurities. Compared to the analytical method for trace determination of NAs impurities in other studies (usually EI or ESI ion sources) [17–26], the LOD (0.22 ng/ml) and LOQ (0.33 ng/ml) in this method (APCI ion source) were lower, indicating the high sensitivity of the method.…”

“…Recently, the determination of NAs in food, water, and drugs using LC, GC, gas-LC (GLC), and nonchromatographic methods have been reported [8,11,12,[17][18][19][20]. Furthermore, LC and GC have been combined with MS, MS/MS, fluorescence spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy [15,[21][22][23][24][25][26].…”

Integrative Metabolomics and Proteomics Detected Hepatotoxicity in Mice Associated with Alkaloids from Eupatorium fortunei Turcz.

“…Total alkaloid extracts (32 g) were obtained by removing the solvent in subfraction 2. The contents of eight PAs in the extract were identified and determined using a Waters TQS Triple Quad mass spectrometer coupled with a Waters H-class UHPLC system (Waters Corporation, Milford, MA, USA) via the method established in our previous study [23].…”