Taxus ingredients in the red arils of Taxus baccata L. determined by HPLC-MS/MS

IntroductionTaxus baccata L. is an evergreen conifer whose plant parts are cardiotoxic. Only the red arils of the berries are described as non-toxic and taxane-free. ObjectiveExtraction and HPLC-MS/MS methods were developed for the investigation of the Taxus compounds 3,5-dimethoxyphenol, 10-deacetylbaccatin III, baccatin III, cephalomannine, taxol A and taxinine M in the red arils of the yew berries. MethodologyA liquid-liquid extraction method for the red arils of the fruits from three yews were developed. An accurate (ESI+) HPLC-MS/MS method was performed for the simultaneous detection and determination of the target compounds in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. ResultsAll Taxus agents obtained were detected in the red arils. Highest concentrations were determined for baccatin III and 10-deacetylbaccatin III. ConclusionThe developed quantitative method is reliable and selective and was successfully applied for quantification of selected Taxus ingredients in red arils of Taxus baccata. It was disproved that the red arils of the berries do not contain the selected Taxus compounds. An accurate (ESI+) HPLC-MS/MS (MRM) method after liquid-liquid extraction were developed for determination of 3,5-dimethoxyphenol, 10-deacetylbaccatinIII, baccatin III, cephalomannine, taxolA and taxinine M in the red arils of yew (Taxus baccata) berries. All Taxus agents were detected. Highest concentrations were determined for baccatin III and 10-deacetylbaccatin III. It was disproved that the red arils of the berries do not contain the selected Taxus ingredients.