Analysis of yohimbine alkaloid from Pausinystalia yohimbe by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

J Sep Sci. 2008 Jul;31(12):2211-8. doi: 10.1002/jssc.200800055.

Abstract

In the present work, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Pausinystalia yohimbe-type alkaloids in the barks of Rubiaceae species is presented using different analytical approaches. Extracts of P. yohimbe were first examined by GC-MS and the major alkaloids were identified. The quantitation of yohimbine was then accomplished by non-aqueous CE (NACE) with diode array detection. This approach was selected in order to use a running buffer fully compatible with samples in organic solvent. In particular, a mixture of methanol containing ammonium acetate (20 mM) and glacial acetic acid was used as a BGE. The same analytical sample was subjected to GC-MS and NACE analysis; the different selectivity displayed by these techniques allowed different separation profiles that can be useful in phytochemical characterization of the extracts. The linear calibration ranges were all 10-1000 microg/mL for yohimbine by GC-MS and NACE analysis. The recovery of yohimbine was 91.2-94.0% with RSD 1.4-4.3%. The LOD for yohimbine were 0.6 microg/mL by GC-MS and 1.0 microg/mL by NACE, respectively. The GC-MS and NACE methods were successfully validated and applied to the quantitation of yohimbine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Acetates
  • Acetic Acid
  • Alkaloids / analysis
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Methanol
  • Pausinystalia / chemistry*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Solvents
  • Yohimbine / analysis*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Alkaloids
  • Solvents
  • Yohimbine
  • Acetic Acid
  • ammonium acetate
  • Methanol