Abstract:
Rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF MS) method was developed for analyzing the hydrolysis of ginsenoside R
d in acidic condition. The hydrolysis products were identified by comparison with the retention time of the standard compounds, the accurate mass and the characteristic fragment ions obtained from RRLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis, including C-Y
1, C-Y
2, F2, 20(
S)-R
g3, 20(
R)-R
g3, R
k1 and R
g5. The specific product ions of aglycone PPD (
m/z 459), Δ20 (21)-or Δ20 (22)-dehydration-PPD (
m/z 441) and C-24, C-25 hydratedPPD (
m/z 477) by MS/MS were discussed for structural characterization. The chemical transformation mechanisms of ginsenoside Rd were demonstrated in acidic condition, include saccharide hydrolysis, Δ20(21)- or Δ20(22)-dehydration and hydration addition reactions at C-24, C-25. The hydrolysis transformation pathway of ginsenoside R
d was summarized. The developed RRLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method was applied for comparative analysis of ginsenoside R
d and related hydrolysis transformation products.