Simultaneous determination and quality evaluation of 16 compounds in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus covering different regions and processed products using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry

A quantitative analysis method and a chemical pattern recognition method were developed to evaluate raw Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (LLF) from different regions and different processed products. In this study, a comprehensive strategy using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry quantitative analysis method was established for the simultaneous determination of 16 components in 47 batches of LLF covering 19 regions belonging to 8 provinces and 24 batches of different processed products (steamed LLF without auxiliary material, wine‐steamed LLF, salt‐steamed LLF, and vinegar‐steamed LLF). The results of this study indicated that the proposed method was reliable and accurate for the rapid analysis proved by detection limit, quantification limit, precision, and accuracy. Furthermore, principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were employed to analyze the experimental data, showing that the best‐quality samples of 47 batches of raw LLF were S47 (Lantian, Shaanxi), S39 (Pingyang‐2, Shandong), S38 (Pingyang‐1, Shandong), and S45 (Lingbao, Henan), whereas the worst‐quality samples were S7–S16 (Huzhou, Zhejiang). In 24 batches of processed products, the best‐quality samples were S48 (salt steamed 2 h), S60 (wine steamed 2 h), and S61 (wine steamed 4 h). Meanwhile, the heat map showed that the contents of triterpenoid saponins, including C16 (ursolic acid), C15 (oleanic acid), and C14 (maslinic acid), were higher than those of other compounds in 71 batches of samples. These results suggested that the quality of raw LLF in the central and northern regions was better than that in the southern regions, and regarding the processed products, different auxiliary materials had little effect on the quality of LLF, but steaming time of 2 h was appropriate. Briefly, this study proposed a multiparameter quantitative analysis method for the overall quality control of raw LLF samples covering different regions in China and different processed LLF.