Effects of ion source operating parameters on direct analysis in real time of 18 active components from traditional Chinese medicine

• 18 bioactive compounds of six species were analyzed under different DART operating parameters.
• DART-MS analytical results were evaluated by peak area and S/N of the characteristic ion signals.
• The relationships among compounds, DART conditions and analytical responses were clarified.
• Adequate ion source operating parameters were proposed for types of TCM active substance.

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) provides a new analytical method for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The present study investigated the effects of key ion source operating parameters on DART-MS analysis of various TCM active components. A total of 18 active components, including phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, saponins, flavones, volatile oils, and glycosides, were examined. For each substance, the peak area and signal-to-noise of its characteristic ions under different reagent gases and heater temperatures were compared. Based on the comparison, the relationships among chemical structures, ion source parameters and instrument responses were revealed. Finally, some suggestions about choosing reagent gas and heater temperature were proposed for types of TCM active substance, which offered a reference for the application of DART-MS on TCM analysis.

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