Rapid Identification of Characteristic Chemical Constituents of Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and Panax japonicus Using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS

Abstract

Saponins are the main active components in Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (PG), Panax quinquefolius L. (PQ), and Panax japonicus C. A. Mey. (PJ), which belong to the genus Panax in the Araliaceae family. Because the chemical components in the three species are similar, they are often mixed and misused in functional foods and pharmaceuticals applications. Therefore, it is urgent to establish a method to quickly distinguish among PG, PQ, and PJ. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was combined with data postprocessing to identify the main characteristic fragments (CFs) and the related neutral losses (NLs) of protopanaxadiol (PPD), protopanaxatriol (PPT), oleanolic acid (OLE), and ocotillol- (OCO-) type saponins. By comparing the mass spectral data, it was possible to rapidly classify and identify saponins in PG, PQ, and PJ. A total of twenty-three chemical components were identified in the PG samples, twenty-three components were identified in the PQ samples, and twenty-seven components were identified in the PJ samples. Among them, OCO-type saponins were characteristic of PQ and PJ. Ginsenoside Rf, which was absent from PQ, allowed for differentiation between PQ and PJ. The CFs and NLs in the mass spectra of the characteristic components of PG, PQ, and PJ allowed for the rapid classification and identification of these species. Additionally, these results provide technical support for the quality evaluation of Chinese herbal medicine and for constructing a scientific regulatory system.

Rapid identification of chemical constituents of Chaihu‐jia‐Longgu‐Muli decoction based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry coupled with the UNIFI platform

“…The fragment ions at m/z 945, 783, 621, and 459, were produced directly from the m/z 1107, corresponding to the loss of a series of fragment ions of glucose residues. Therefore, compound 62 was characteristic of malonyl‐ginsenoside Rb 1 [17] (Figure 5C). Similarly, other malonyl‐ginsenosides can be speculated, such as compound 69 and compound 75 are malonyl‐ginsenoside Rb 2 and malonyl‐ginsenoside Rd.…”

“…The fragment ions at m/z 945, 783, 621, and 459, were produced directly from the m/z 1107, corresponding to the loss of a series of fragment ions of glucose residues. Therefore, compound 62 was characteristic of malonyl-ginsenoside Rb 1 [17] (Figure 5C).…”

Compound K Production: Achievements and Perspectives

“…Meyer (Korean ginseng), Panax japonicus C.A (Japanese ginseng), Panax quinquefolius L. (America ginseng), Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F.H. Chen (Sanchi ginseng), have been widely used as dietary supplements in recent years [1,2]. There are various chemical components in ginseng, such as ginsenosides, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, glycoconjugate compounds, and amino acids.…”