Application of Countercurrent Chromatography/Thermospray Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Natural Products

Abstract

The versatility and high resolving power of countercurrent chromatography (CCC) has been demonstrated with a newly developed analytical high speed planet centrifuge system. Interfacing countercurrent chromatography with mass spectrometry (MS) provides a new analytical methodology which integrates the advantages of countercurrent chromatography with the low detection limit and identification capability of mass spectrometry. The capability of thermospray CCC/MS is evidenced in a preliminary study of plant alkaloids. The technique proved useful in identifying an unknown impurity and in validating the presence of a specific compound in a mixture. The thermospray CCC/MS can become a useful and complementary method to thermospray HPLC/MS for the analysis of nonvolatile or thermally unstable molecules.