Development and validation of an ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for target determination of bioactive compounds in Dendrobium spp.

As a medicine-food homology herb, Dendrobium spp. has versatile applications in modern medicine and food industry. Herein, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) based method was established for simultaneous quantification of six active components, including gigantol, erianin, naringenin, quercetin, rutin, and p-coumaric acid in Dendrobium spp., on the basis of optimized sample preparation, mass spectrometry conditions, and chromatography conditions. Sample extraction was carried out using methanol at a temperature of 60 ◦C, followed by separation on a T3 C18 column utilizing a gradient eluting program. The results demonstrated excellent linearity (r > 0.999) for the six active components within a specified concentration range. The average recovery rates ranged from 84.7% to 106.9%, and the precision (RSD) was within 7.4%. The detection and quantification limits of this method ranged from 0.34 - 4.17 ng·mL–1 and 1.12 - 13.91 ng·mL–1, respectively. The established method demonstrates high accuracy and reliability and is applicable in practical sample detection. Different Dendrobium spp. exhibit specific variations in compound composition, with D. fimbriatum Hook. having a higher content of benzyl compounds and D. crystallinum. Rchb. f. having a higher content of flavonoids. This study provides experimental evidence for the quality and safety regulation of Dendrobium spp.