Application of High Speed Countercurrent Chromatography/Thermospray Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Bio-Active Triterpenoic Acids from Boswellia Carterh

The versatility and high resolving power of countercurrent chromatography has been demonstrated with a newly developed analytical high speed planet centrifuge system (HSCCC). Interfacing countercurrent chromatography with mass spectrometry (MS) provides a new analytical methodology which Integrates the advantages of countercurrent chromatography with the low detection limit and identification capability of mass spectrometry. The capability of thermo-spray HSCCC/MS has been successfully demonstrated in the identification of plant alkaloids and lignans. In this paper, the technigue proved useful in identifying and validating the bio-active and structural closely related triterpenoid carboxylic acids from a crude extract of Boswellia carterii (Burseraceae). Thermospray HSCCC/MS can become a useful and complementary method to thermospray HPLC/MS for the analysis of nonvolatile or thermally unstable molecules.