Rapid Qualitative and Quantitative Determination of Seven Valuable Taxanes from VariousTaxusSpecies by UFLC‐ESI‐MS and UFLC‐DAD

Abstract

The distribution and level of yew constituents vary with species and tissues. In this study, a rapid and valid method incorporating ultra-fast liquid chromatography (UFLC) with MS and UV detection was developed for simultaneous determination of paclitaxel and its six semisynthesis precursors in needles and hair roots from various Taxus species. All target analytes could be identified by comparing their retention times as well as UV and MS spectra with authentic standards, while seven valuable taxanes in botanical samples can be rapidly determined by UFLC‐DAD with excellent sensitivity. Analysis of more than one hundred yew samples from nine species showed significant variations in distribution and content of seven evaluated taxanes. Thus, different developmental schemes should be used for better utilization of various yew resources.