Development and validation of eight cyanogenic glucosides via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in agri-food

An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) method was established and validated for the simultaneous quantification of eight cyanogenic glucosides (CNGs) in agri-food. The eight CNGs were linamarin, lotaustralin, linustatin, neolinustatin, taxiphyllin, amygdalin, dhurrin and prunasin. CNGs were extracted with aqueous methanol and cleaned via solid-phase extraction. Analytes were separated with a C₁₈ column via gradient elution. MS/MS analysis was performed with electrospray ionisation in positive mode. Quantification was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Satisfactory validation results were obtained in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy, matrix effect and stability. The method was applied in typical cyanogenic agri-food. CNGs in cassava, linseed, bamboo, sorghum, apricot, almond and lima bean were analyzed.

Keywords: Cyanogenic glucosides; Hydrocyanic acid; Method validation; UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS.