Chromatographic fingerprint analysis of yohimbe bark and related dietary supplements using UHPLC/UV/MS

A practical ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method was developed for fingerprint analysis of and determination of yohimbine in yohimbe barks and related dietary supplements. Good separation was achieved using a Waters Acquity BEH C18 column with gradient elution using 0.1% (v/v) aqueous ammonium hydroxide and 0.1% ammonium hydroxide in methanol as the mobile phases. The study is the first reported chromatographic method that separates corynanthine from yohimbine in yohimbe bark extract. The chromatographic fingerprint analysis was applied to the analysis of 18 yohimbe commercial dietary supplement samples. Quantitation of yohimbine, the traditional method for analysis of yohimbe barks, were also performed to evaluate the results of the fingerprint analysis. Wide variability was observed in fingerprints and yohimbine content among yohimbe dietary supplement samples. For most of the dietary supplements, the yohimbine content was not consistent with the label claims.

► We developed an UHPLC method that can separate corynanthine from yohimbine.
► Analysis of yohimbe bark and dietary supplements revealed quality problems.
► Quantitation of yohimbine by itself is not sufficient for dietary supplement quality control.
► Combination of quantitation and fingerprinting analysis is needed.