Objective:To establish a characterization method of chemical composition from Bidens frondosa by HPLC-TOF-MS. Method:In accordance with the procedure of construction of chemical composition database-MS data acquisition-database retrieval-mass spectrometry data analysis

the separation was performed on a HALO column

with C18(2.1 mm×150 mm

2.7 μm) as stationary phase. And the mobile phase was water and 0.1% formic acid(A)-acetonitrile(B) for gradient elution. The method of gradient elution:0-10 min

5%-25%B;10-30 min

25%-45%B;30-35 min

45%-70%B;35-45 min

70%-90%B;45-60 min

90%-100%B;60-70 min

100%B. The temperature of column was 25℃

the flow rate was 0.2 mL·min-1

and the injection volume was 5 μL. The composition of B. frondosa was analyzed under positive ion mode. Result:The 24 flavonoid constituents

5 phenylpropanoids

2 organic acids were identified in extraction of B. frondosa. In positive ion mode

chlorogenic acid and its derivatives were ruptured regularly

and produced[quinic acid+H-H2O]+

[caffeoyl+H]+

polyhydroxy acids were dehydrocracked. Flavonoids lost CO

H2O and other fragment ion

and aurones produced the ions of 286

270

230. Conclusion:HPLC-TOF-MS method could be used for fast qualitative analysis of the chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine

and provide the material basis for the characterization of B. frondosa based on mass spectrometry.