Characteristic fingerprint analysis of Dendrobium huoshanense by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

A fingerprint analysis method has been developed for the characterization and discrimination of Dendrobium huoshanense by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry). The samples were separated with a Hypersil Gold C 18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm) by linear gradient elution using ammonium acetate buffer and methanol as the mobile phase. 11 batches of Dendrobium huoshanense were subjected to UPLC-ESI-MS analysis; the peak data were then imported to professional software in order to obtain standard fingerprint profiles and to evaluate the similarities of different samples. Meanwhile, the UPLC-UV and UPLC-ESI/MS characteristic fingerprints were established according to the qualified samples. 9 characteristic peaks were assigned, of which 8 peaks were identified by comparing the retention times, ultraviolet (UV) spectra and MS spectra with authentic compounds or literature data. Comparing the fingerprint of Dendrobium moniliforme with the standard fingerprint of Dendrobium huoshanense clearly reveals the differences between the two species. Therefore, this fingerprint analysis method can be applied for the identification and quality control of different species and their products.