Glycoalkaloid concentration in Alberta potatoes determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry was used to determine concentrations of individual potato glycoalkaloids in tubers. Samples were extracted with methanol-water and deposited on 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone crystals. Positive ions were analyzed with a MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with a 337 nm laser. Analyte ion intensities relative to an internal standard were used to determine chaconine and solanine concentrations. Calibration curves were prepared by standard additions to potato tuber material. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of triplicate measurements ranged from 1 to 16%, with an average of 9%. The day-to-day RSD for replicate determinations was 11%. Recoveries of analyst-prepared spikes (50 micrograms/g) averaged 104% for chaconine (RSD, 8%) and 98% for solanine (RSD, 4%). The method limit of detection was estimated to be 2 micrograms/g.