Simultaneous Determination of Matrine and Berberine in Fruits, Vegetables, and Soil Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract An ultra-performance LC/tandem MS (UPLC/MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification and identification of matrine and berberine, alkaloidswidely used in plant fungicides, has been developed and validated. Methanol or 1% ammonia–acetonitrile were selected as extraction solvents,and primary secondary amine sorbent was chosen for cleanup to achieve satisfactory recoveries in accordance with European Union guidelines. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a hydrophilic interaction LC column with a UPLC/MS/MS-based method to improve the retentions and shapes of the peaks. Method validation was performed forlinearity, repeatability, interday precision, andsensitivity. Recoveries and RSDs were acceptable (73.1–109.3% recovery, RSD ≤ 15.8%). The LODs varied from 0.34 to 1.07 μg/kg for matrine and 0.09 to 0.18 μg/kg for berberine, while the LOQs ranged from 1.12 to 3.58 μg/kg for matrine and 0.31 to 0.60 μg/kg for berberine. This method was successfully and efficiently applied for the analysis of matrine and berberine in real samples.