Determination of Polyphenols Using Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Technique (LC–MS/MS): A Review

Abstract

In recent years, the consumption of polyphenols has been increasing, largely due to its beneficial effects on health. They are present in a wide variety of foods, but their extraction and characterization are complicated since they are mostly in complex matrices. For this reason, the use of selective, sensitive, and versatile analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) is necessary. In this review, the most relevant studies of the last years regarding the analysis of polyphenols in different matrices by comprehensive LC–MS/MS are discussed. Relevant steps such as extraction, sample purification, and chromatographic analysis methods are emphasized. In particular, the following methodological aspects are discussed: (a) the proper selection of the extraction technique, (b) the extraction and elution solvents, (c) the purification step, (d) the selection of both stationary and mobile phases for the chromatographic separation of compounds, and (e) the different conditions for mass spectrometry. Overall, this review presents the data from the most recent studies, in a comprehensive way, thus providing and simplifying the information of the great variety of works that exist in the literature on this wide topic.

Integrating genomics and multi-platform metabolomics enables metabolite QTL detection in breeding-relevant apple germplasm

“…Our finding of more significant features from the LC-MS (-) prioritization than from LC-MS (+), despite the positive mode dataset having more features, is consistent with increased analyte ionization in positive mode and increased sensitivity in negative mode (Antignac et al, 2005). In the case of apple, this difference might be explained by the fact that flavonoids, a diverse class of compounds, tend to ionize better in negative mode than positive (López-Fernández et al, 2020). If the chosen apple varieties represent a high diversity of flavonoids, this could account for more significant features passing the thresholds for LC-MS (-).…”

Chemical Composition, In Vitro Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenolic Compounds from Nutraceutical Fennel Waste Extract

“…Among the analytical methods, the most widely employed technique for the polyphenol detection in vegetal matrices is based on LC separation combined with MS and tandem MS (MS/MS) [ 19 ]. Notwithstanding that, the high-resolution mass spectrometers (HRMS), such as Q-Orbitrap, coupled with ultra-HPLC (UHPLC), represent an optimal choice for the identification and quantification of a, which range of bioactive compounds in foodstuffs compounds in plant matrices due to its high-resolution power, high peak efficiency, short analysis time, and quantification based on accurate mass measurement [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Phenolic Compounds from Leaves and Flowers of Hibiscus roseus: Potential Skin Cosmetic Applications of an Under-Investigated Species

“…The MRM is a powerful way for the simultaneous determination of several components, based on the mass-to-charge ratio ( m / z ) of the molecular ion ([M−H] − ) and its corresponding daughter ion. It allows the enhancement of selectivity and sensitivity of LC-MS/MS analyses [ 30 ]. This methodology is very reliable and suitable for analyses of plant extracts and other complex mixtures leading to the highest specificity, excellent sensitivity, and an extreme multiplexing capacity thanks to the possibility of distinguishing compounds having the same parent ions but different fragments [ 31 , 32 ].…”