Centrifugal partition chromatography isolation of glaucolides sesquiterpenes and LC-ESIMS/MS technique for differentiation the mass spectrometry behavior of hirsutinolide and glaucolide skeletons

Bibliographic research has revealed that several sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) can reorganize their hydrocarbon structure during chromatographic purification in the solid phase. However, opposing scientific opinions have been found about the natural and artifact origin of SL. This chapter aims to compare the purification methods used to obtain SL with an emphasis on centrifugal partition chromatography and other chromatographic techniques. More importantly, the SL profile of medicinal plants will be discussed and related to the chemical properties of mobile and stationary phases of the purification techniques. Mass spectrometry (MS) data of hirsutinolides and glaucolides in conjunction with computational calculation will be presented as a strategy to study this interconversion between both skeletons based on their MS behavior. Moreover, MS data will also be presented and associated with the characterization and differentiation of compounds in plant extract bearing both skeletons. The skeletal conversion of glaucolides into hirsutinolides in certain analytical conditions will be emphasized.