Establishing a rapid classification and identification method for the major triterpenoids of Alisma orientale

Abstract Introduction Alismatis Rhizoma (AR) has been widely used to treat various diseases. Its complex chemical composition has caused certain difficulties in the analysis of this traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a method for the rapid classification and identification of the chemical constituents of AR. Objective This article describes a method for the rapid classification and identification of major triterpenoids in AR. Methodology The samples were analysed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS). The assay was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C 18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) with 0.1% formic acid in water (A), and acetonitrile (B) as mobile phase by gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. In the positive ion mode, the fragment information was obtained and compared with the characteristic fragments and neutral losses described in the literature. Then, the rapid classification and identification of the chemical components from AR were achieved. Results Finally, 25 triterpene compounds of AR were identified. Conclusions The method established in this study achieved the rapid classification and identification of chemical components in AR, which promotes the development of research methods to study the constituents of traditional Chinese medicine.