Planta Med 2014; 80 - PPL10
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1382646

High resolution GC/MS methods for the quantitative analysis of ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo biloba plants, extracts and dietary supplements

M Wang 1, J Zhao 1, B Avula 1, YH Wang 1, C Avonto 1, AG Chittiboyina 1, JF Parcher 1, IA Khan 1, 2, 3
  • 1National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, USA
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, USA
  • 3Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A GC/MS SIM method focusing on the characterization and analysis of ginkgolic acids in plant material, extracts and commercial products was developed and validated. The method involved extraction with methanol and formic acid, liquid-liquid extraction with hexane and derivatization with trimethylsulfonium hydroxide. The methylated esters were resolved with a very polar (88% cyanopropyl)aryl-polysiloxane (HP-88) GC column. Separation of positional double bond isomers for the polyunsaturated ginkgolic acid was also acheieved. Furthermore, the validated method was used to analyze Ginkgo biloba L. plant samples and dietary supplements purported to contain G. biloba extracts.

Fig. 1: SIM Chromatogram of Ginkgo biloba Leaf