Characterizing of the Natural Product Goldenseal Using CORTECS 2.7 μm Columns and ACQUITY QDa Detection

Significance of Topic

A reliable and rapid characterization of herbal supplements is essential for quality control and safety. Goldenseal, a widely used medicinal plant, contains diverse alkaloids whose concentrations can vary by source and formulation. Advanced chromatographic techniques combined with mass detection enable detailed profiling of complex natural products.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application focused on five commercial Goldenseal samples differing in manufacturer, plant part, and formulation matrix. The main goals were:

• To separate and characterize constituent compounds rapidly.
• To identify key alkaloids common and unique to each sample.
• To develop a fingerprinting approach for comparing Goldenseal sources.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Samples included liquid extract and various capsule preparations. Extraction involved methanol–water with acetic acid, sonication, centrifugation, and filtration. Chromatographic separation was achieved in five minutes using a CORTECS C18+ 2.7 µm, 3.0 × 50 mm column on an Alliance HPLC at 30 °C with a 7–30 % acetonitrile gradient. Detection combined UV at 300 nm and mass analysis in positive electrospray mode (150–1250 amu) via the ACQUITY QDa detector. Data were processed with Empower 3 CDS.

• Column: CORTECS C18+ 2.7 µm (3.0 × 50 mm)
• HPLC System: Alliance HPLC
• Detectors: UV (300 nm), ACQUITY QDa (ESI+ full scan)
• Sample Vials: LCMS Certified Max Recovery

Results and Discussion

The CORTECS column delivered high-efficiency separations at low back pressure, resolving five Goldenseal samples in under five minutes. UV chromatograms revealed two dominant peaks (A and B) and multiple minor constituents. Mass data identified seven alkaloids: dihydroberberine, canadine, berberine, isocorypalmine, methyl hydrastine, hydrastine, and palmatine. Berberine was the most abundant and the only compound detected in all samples. Each sample exhibited a distinct alkaloid fingerprint, reflecting its origin and processing.

Practical Applications and Benefits

Combining rapid HPLC separation with QDa mass detection allows laboratories to:

• Perform fast quality screening of herbal products.
• Generate reproducible chemical fingerprints for authentication.
• Detect variability across manufacturers and plant parts.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging opportunities include integration with high-resolution mass spectrometry for deeper compound identification, automation of sample preparation for higher throughput, and development of spectral libraries for comprehensive natural product databases. These advances will further streamline herbal supplement evaluation and regulatory compliance.

Conclusion

The use of CORTECS 2.7 µm columns and ACQUITY QDa detection enabled a fast, efficient, and informative analysis of Goldenseal samples. The approach provided clear separation, accurate mass identification of seven key alkaloids, and unique chemical fingerprints for each source. This methodology supports robust quality control and authentication of complex botanical products.

References

1. Gediya SK, Misty RB, Patel UK, et al. Herbal Plants: Used as a Cosmetics. Journal of Natural Product and Plant Resources. 2011;1(1):24-32.
2. Kapoor VP. Herbal Cosmetics for Skin and Hair Care. Natural Product Radiance. 2005;4(4):306-314.
3. Avula B, et al. Quantitative Determination of Alkaloids from Roots of Hydrastis canadensis L. and Dietary Supplements Using UltraPerformance Liquid Chromatography with UV Detection. Journal of AOAC International. 2012;95(5):1398–1405.
4. Pillai M, et al. LC-MS Based Workflows for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Homeopathic Preparation of Hydrastis canadensis. Chromatographia. 2014;77:119–131.