Simultaneous Analysis of Bergapten and Schinifoline in Zanthoxylum schinifolium Seeds Using HPLC and UPLC-MS/MS Systems

Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold et Zuccarini belongs to the Rutaceae family and has been widely used as a spice in East Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. The present study focused on developing and validating a simultaneous analytical method for marker substances (bergapten and schinifoline) in Z. schinifolium seeds. This was achieved using high-performance liquid chromatography with a photo-diode array detector (HPLC-PDA) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) systems. In the regression equation, all markers showed a coefficient of determination of ≥0.9990. Marker recovery was 96.90–105.16% (relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 2.23), and the intra- and interday precision was RSD < 3.00. Bergapten and schinifoline were detected in the seeds at 1.70–2.85 mg/g and 0.19–0.94 mg/g, respectively. This analytical method will improve quality control of Z. schinifolium seeds. Additionally, this assay will provide basic data and quality assurance for future biological activity experiments or clinical applications.