Determination of Multiple Active Components in Mume Fructus by UPLC-MS/MS

<b>Background:</b> This study presents a sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of organic acids, flavonoids, and amino acids in Mume Fructus (MF) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole linear ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS). <b>Methods:</b> Analysis was performed on a UPLC system (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) equipped with a quaternary pump solvent management system, an online degasser, a triple-quadrupole mass detector, and an autosampler. An Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column (3.0 mm × 100 mm, 1.8 µm) was used for chromatographic analyses. The mobile phase was distributed between 0.2% aqueous formic acid (A) and 0.2% formic acid acetonitrile (B) at a velocity of 0.2 mL/min. The gradient evolution protocol was 0-2 min at 90-70% B; 3-7 min at 70-50% B; 7-10 min at 50-20% B; 10-14.5 min at 20-90% B; and 14.5-17 min at 10% B. <b>Results:</b> The method was validated for matrix effects, linearity, limits of detection/quantification, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery of target components. It effectively determined all target compounds in 12 MF batches from different drying methods. <b>Conclusions:</b> Principal component analysis (PCA) of 47 active components was conducted to evaluate MF quality comprehensively. The proposed method serves as a reliable approach for assessing the consistency of MF's quality and therapeutic efficacy.