Homogenate-assisted negative-pressure cavitation extraction for determination of organic acids and flavonoids in honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) by LC-MS/MS

In the present study, a homogenate-assisted negative-pressure cavitation extraction (H-NPCE) is developed for the extraction and determination of the main organic acids and flavonoids in honeysuckle by LC-MS/MS. The influential parameters of the H-NPCE procedure were optimized, and the optimal conditions were as follows: homogenate time 45 s, negative pressure −0.07 MPa, ethanol concentration 70%, liquid/solid ratio 20:1 mL/g, NPCE time 20 min and 3 extraction cycles. Furthermore, a rapid LC-MS/MS analysis method was established and validated, and it exhibited satisfactory linearity (R2 > 0.996), precision (RSD ⩽ 4.87%) and recovery (96.94-104.32%). H-NPCE followed by LC-MS/MS was successfully applied for the extraction and quantification of ten organic acids and flavonoids in honeysuckle. This work provided a fast and effective method for the sample preparation and determination of active components from plants.