HPLC, open column chromatography, and LC-ESI-MS separation patterns and a new method of estimation of a phytoconstituent from Heiba (Ficus pomifera Wall.)

The different separation patterns of petroleum ether extract of leaves of Heiba ( Ficus pomifera Wall.) were studied with open column chromatography, highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). A new method of locating and estimating newly discovered compounds by LC-ESI-MS was developed. Compound 1, a triterpenoid of mass 398, was identified by spectral analysis. It was located in the chromatogram by comparison of mass spectrum of the isolated compound to mass spectra of in mass spectral data of LC-ESI-MS. The concentration of the triterpenoid was found to be 8.64 ppm in 2000 ppm of the extract, assuming that all the components are eluted.