Simultaneous Determination of p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, p-Hydroxybenzyl Alcohol, 4-({beta}-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-Benzyl Alcohol, and Sugars in Gastrodia elata Blume Measured as Their Acetylated Derivatives by GC-MS

A method for the simultaneous separation and determination of the active constituents and three sugars in the roots of Gastrodia elata Blume</it> (GE), which is used as a famous Chinese traditional herbal medicine, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is established. The samples are acetylated with pyridine-acetic anhydride. The contents of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HA), fructose, glucose, 4-(β-<scp>D</scp>-glucopyranosyloxy)-benzyl alcohol (GA), and sucrose in GE are 0.004%, 0.03%, 1.36%, 1.12%, 1.97%, and 4.25%, respectively, and the detection limits are 1.5, 3.0, 11.0, 5.0, 33.0, and 35.0 pg, respectively. The contents of HA and GA in the urine and brain of a mouse are also determined. This method is simple, reliable, and quick for the simultaneous determination of the active constituents and sugars in GE.