High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray time-of-flight and ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry to identify phenolic compounds from a Cistus ladanifer aqueous extract.
BACKGROUND
Cistus ladanifer is an aromatic shrub that is widespread in the Mediterranean region. The labdanum exudate is used in the fragrance industry and has been characterised. However, there is not enough information about the phenolic content of the raw plant, the aerial part of it being a very rich source of bioactive compounds.


OBJECTIVE
Characterisation of the bioactive compounds of the raw plant and its aerial parts.


METHODS
High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric detection was used to carry out the comprehensive characterisation of a Cistus ladanifer shrub aqueous extract. Two different MS techniques were coupled to HPLC: time-of-flight mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Many well-known compounds present in Cistus ladanifer were characterised, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, ellagitanins, hexahydroxydiphenoyl and derivatives, and other compounds.


CONCLUSIONS
The method described simultaneously separated a wide range of phenolic compounds and the proposed characterisation of the major compounds of this extract was carried out. It is important to highlight that, to our knowledge, this is the first time that a Cistus ladanifer aqueous extract from the raw plant has been characterised.
Fernández-Arroyo
S
S
Molecular and Cellular Biology Institut (IBMC), Miguel Hernández University, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain.
Barrajón-Catalán
E
E
Micol
V
V
Segura-Carretero
A
A
Fernández-Gutiérrez
A
A
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D029758:Cistus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts