Abstract: Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry(ESI-MSn) was applied for simultaneous determination of norditerpenoid alkaloids in the roots of Aconitum kusnezoffii without any chemical isolation. The structure information of the alkaloids was gotten by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry(ESI-MSn). Accordingly, four kinds of norditerpenoid alkaloids, such as monoester alkaloids, dierster alkaloids, triester alkaloids and lipo-alkaloids, were simultaneously determined in the roots of Aconitum kusnezoffii. Also, triester alkaloids and lipo-alkaloids are firstly found in the roots of Aconitum kusnezoffii.

Key words: Aconitum kusnezoffii, Norditerpenoid alkaloid, Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry