Abstract:

A method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) has
been proposed for the determination of triptolide and wilforine residues in honey. The samples were dissolved in water and
extracted with acetonitril, separated on a Hypersil GOLD C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm) with gradient elution. The
determination was carried out with electrospray ion source under the positive mode and multiple reaction monitoring (SRM)
mode. The concentrations of triptolide and wilforine in the range of 0.01–20 ng/mL were linearly correlated to the peak area,
with correlation coefficients greater than 0.997. The limits of quantification (RSN > 10）for both triptolide and wilforine
were 0.05 μg/kg. The recoveries of triptolide and wilforine were 69.9%–101.5%, respectively, at spiked concentrations of
0.05 μg/kg and 1.0 μg/kg, with relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 6) lower than 10%. Our results indicate that the developed
method is rapid, sensitive and accurate for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of triptolide and wilforine in honey.

Key words: ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, honey, triptolide, wilforine