High-accuracy analysis system for the redox status of coenzyme Q10 by online supercritical fluid extraction–supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry

The accurate profiling of oxidative stress markers is often disturbed by oxidation occurred during sample preparation. In this study, an online supercritical fluid extraction–supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry system was constructed utilizing supercritical fluid as an efficient solvent for extraction. A higher ratio of the reduced form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was detected by online extraction, rather than by offline extraction using a conventional organic solvent. The results suggest that the profile of easily oxidized compounds can be acquired with high accuracy using this system because the oxidation of the target compounds during sample preparation can be avoided when using the online extraction.

► Analysis of CoQ10 by online supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)–SFC–MS.
► Only 0.05 mg of dried photosynthesis bacterium was needed for the analysis.
► A higher ratio of the reduced form of CoQ10 was detected by online SFE.
► Highly accurate analysis of easily oxidized compounds can be performed.