Determination of triterpenic acids in Ribes stenocarpum maxim by HPLC-APCI-MS with 2-(12,13-dihydro-7H-dibenzo[a,g]carbazol-7-yl)ethyl4-methylben-zenesulfonate labelling agent

The study utilized a fluorescent labeling reagent called 2-(12,13-dihydro-7H-dibenzo[a,g]carbaz-ol-7-yl)ethyl4-methylben-zenesulfonate (DDCETS) to label of triterpenic acids and the approach was used to measure the amount of triterpenic acids in different organs of the Ribes stenocarpum Maxim. (RSM) from several areas in Qinghai Province. The analytical potential of the reagent was evaluated using six triterpene acids, namely maslinic acid, corosolic acid, betulinic acid, betulonic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. The results showed that the method successfully determined that the main components of triterpenoids in RSM from different regions of Qinghai Province were oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. The highest content of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid was 2037.59 mg/Kg in branches and 2088.97 mg/Kg in fruits. The least distributed organs of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in the RSM in each region were seeds, with the lowest content of 460.88 mg/Kg in Dongxia Township, Datong County. And when analyzed in relation to the geographical conditions of the diverse origins, the fruits and leaves of the RSM were more abundant in both types of triterpene acids in areas with lower altitude, temperature and precipitation. [Display omitted] •A novel fluorescent reagent, DDCETS, was used to label triterpenic acids.•Qinghai Province Ribes stenocarpum Maxim triterpene acids were first identified.•Oleanolic and ursolic acids were the main triterpene acids in Ribes stenocarpum Maxim. from Qinghai Province.•Ecogeographical factors affecting triterpene acid content in different organs.