The application of UPLC-MS /MS in the recognition of anthocyanins in black rice

Objective: A method for quantitative analysis of anthocyanins in black rice by ultra performance liquid chromatography- tandem triple- quadrupole mass spectrometry ( UPLC MS/MS) was developed. Methods: After soxhlet-extracted by petroleum ether and subsequently reflux extracted by 6% formic acid, the extracts of black rice was analysized on ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18column ( 2.1mm × 50 mm, 1.7μm) , with 6% formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase with gradient elution.The positive ion electrospray mode was adopted in the course of multiple reactions monitoring ( MRM) .Results: There were totally 13 kinds of anthocyanins detected in black rice, which belong to cyanidins, peonidins, pelargonidins and malvidins.Among these 13 kinds of anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-sophoroside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, cyanidin, peonidin-3, 5-diglucoside, peonidin-3- galactoside, peonidin-3- arabinoside, peonidin and malvidin- 3- galactoside had not been reported in any other research on anthocyanins in black rice.Conclusion: UPLC MS/MS method to detect anthocyanins in black rice was established successfully.This method is simple, accurate, rapid and highly selective.