Pyrrolizidine analytical methods

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is a widely used analytical method [31] but does require prior reduction of the involatile N-oxides. Additionally, there are problems associated with some alkaloids that require prederivatization to enhance the GC characteristics. These requirements for prederivatization can adversely affect the GG-MS interpretation, especially at trace levels of alkaloids [32]. Gombined SPE-LC-MS approaches have provided methods for qualitative profiling and quantitative analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides. 

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids poison animals grazing on toxic wild plants and those fed contaminated feed, causing economic losses. They poison humans through deliberate consumption of certain foods and herbal medicines and through consumption of food contaminated by wild plants, such as via transport of the toxins by bees into honey. Analytical methods are required for different purposes - to detect the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, to quantify the total level of the toxins, or to measure the quantity of individual compounds. The task is made more challenging by the variety of PAs, their widespread nature and their different forms. Analytical methods are based on color reactions, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELlSAs), spectroscopy, and the full range of chromatographic techniques. A lack of reference standards and... 

Crews C, Berthiller F, Krska R (2010) Update on analytical methods for toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Anal Bioanal Chem 396 327-338... 

Kempf M, Wittig M, Reinhard A, von der Ohe K, Blacquiere T, Raezke K-P, Michel R, Schreier P, Beuerle T (2011) Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey comparison of analytical methods. Food Addit Contam A 28 332-347... 

Deinzer, M. L., P. Thomson, D. Griffin, and E. Dickinson A Sensitive Analytical Method for Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids. The Mass Spectra of Retronecine Derivatives. Biomed. Mass Spectrom. 5, 175 (1978). 

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