Qualitative and quantitative analysis of seven signature components in the fruiting body ofAntrodia cinnamomeaby HPLC—ESI—MS/MS

An accurate and rapid liquid chromatography–electrospray ionizaion– tandem mass spectrometry (LC—ESI—MS/MS) analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of antcins A, B, C, H, and K, dehydroeburicoic acid, and 4,7-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole in the extract and capsule of Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) fruiting body. These seven signature compounds were ionized using an electrospray ion source and analyzed by a triple-quadrupole mass analyzer under a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The MRM transitions of m/z 453/409 (antcin A), m/z 467/408 (antcin B), m/z 469/425 (antcin C), m/z 485/413 (antcin H), m/z 487/407 (antcin K), m/z 467/337 (dehydroeburicoic acid), and m/z 197/139 (4,7-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole) were used to quantify these seven components, respectively. Their calibration curves presented good linear regressions (R2 > 0.997) within the tested concentration range. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 1.97% and 2.53%, respective...