Rapid Quantitation of Potato Glycoalkaloids by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

The potential for application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to the quantification of potato glycoalkaloids was investigated. A MALDI-TOF MS method was developed for the analysis of α-chaconine and α-solanine using tomatine as an internal standard. Quantitative analysis of a number of potato cultivars by MALDI-TOF MS and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed high correlation ( R 2 = 0.98) between the two methods. The MALDI-TOF MS method developed provides a very rapid analysis, requires very little sample preparation, and is suitable for routine glycoalkaloid analysis.