Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry on the Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Rhynchelytrum repens: A Tropical Grass with Hypoglycemic Activity

Abstract

The characterization of plant compounds with pharmacological activity is a field of great relevance in research and development. As such, identification techniques with the goal of developing new drugs or even validating the bioactive properties of extracts must be explored in order to further expand the knowledge of plant extract composition. Most works in this field employ HPLC, when exploring non-structural and cell wall carbohydrates from Rhynchelytrum repens. Phenolic compounds were studied by classical chromatography techniques and UV-vis spectrophotometry, with C-glycosylated flavonoids being detected but with no further details regarding the chemical structure of these compounds. In this work we employ paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PS-MS) for the evaluation of the chemical profile of R. repens methanol extract. Positive ionization mode identified 15 compounds, belonging to flavonoids, fatty acids, and other classes of compounds; negative mode ionization was able to identify 20 compounds comprising the classes of quinic acids, stilbenes and flavonoids. PS-MS proved effective for the evaluation of R. repens extracts, making it possible to identify a total of thirty-five compounds. The bioactive properties attributed to R. repens were confirmed by the identification and characterization of compounds identified by PS-MS.

Phytochemicals of Avocado Residues as Potential Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors, Antioxidants, and Neuroprotective Agents

“…The presence of compounds such as caffeic acid ( m / z 179 [M − H] − ), catechin ( m / z 289 [M − H] − ), rutin ( m / z 609 [M − H] − ), procyanidin isomers, and flavonoids validated the antioxidant activity of the seed extract and were in accordance with previous reports [ 39 , 40 ]. Corroborating the experiments, some of the metabolites detected in the current work were already reported in the seeds and peels of avocado (vanillin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, synaptic acid, kaempferol, catechin, quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-O-arabinosyl-glucoside, rutin, dimers A and B, and trimer A of procyanidin) [ 12 ].…”

“…Paper spray mass spectrometry (PSMS) was applied to identify the natural products present in the ethanol extracts. This quick and efficient technique for chemical profile determination is commonly used in the clinic and in forensic research to identify specific ions through direct sample analysis [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. This study showed no difference in the chemical profile of peel and seed samples.…”

“…Analyses were performed in triplicate in positive and negative ionization modes. For PSMS analyses, a 2 µL sample volume and 40 µL of methanol were added to a triangular chromatographic paper (equilateral, 1.5 cm lengthwise) positioned 10 mm away from the mass spectrometer inlet [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. A high voltage was then applied to the paper held by a copper clamp and attached to a three-dimensional moving platform for data acquisition.…”

Physicochemical Characterization and Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Myrciaria Floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg Accessions

“…Phenolic compounds have become of great interest in research due to their beneficial health properties, among which is a great antioxidant capacity to delay or inhibit the oxidation of molecules inside the human body that cause stress and some diseases, such as cancer. Furthermore, phenolic compounds possess biological activities with effects such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory action within the body [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Influence of Harvest Time on the Chemical Profile of Pereskia aculeate Mill. Using Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry

“…Chemical profile analysis of the samples was performed using a LCQ Fleet mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific, San Jose, CA, USA) equipped with a paper spray ionization source type. It was performed in triplicate in positive and negative ionization modes [35]. In this analysis, the chromatographic paper was cut into an equilateral triangle shape (1.5 cm) and positioned at the entrance of the mass spectrometer.…”