Characterisation of phenolic acid derivatives and flavonoids from different morphological parts of Helichrysum obconicum by a RP-HPLC–DAD-(−)–ESI-MSn method

Abstract

The phenolic composition from different morphological parts of Helichrysum obconicum was investigated for the first time and 50 different phenolic compounds were detected. Phenolic acid conjugates, mainly mono- and di-caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, were the major components; some flavonoid derivatives were also detected in small amounts. Their separation and identification was performed by a high-performance liquid chromatography/electron spray ionisation tandem ion trap mass spectrometry method, with special emphasis on MSn fragmentation. The presence of di- and tricaffeoylshikimic acid isomers in Helichrysum species extracts was reported for the first time, the spectra of these compounds were mainly characterised by the presence of a [caffeoylshikimic acid-H]− ion at m/z 335. A lamiridosins-di-O-hexoside, an unusual component in Asteraceae species, was also detected.