ARS | Publication request: Progress towards rapid identification of phytochemicals in plant extracts

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 11, 2012
Publication Date: August 15, 2012
Citation: Berhow, M.A., Vaughn, S.F., Tisserat, B., Eller, F.J. 2012. Progress towards rapid identification of phytochemicals in plant extracts. Phytochemical Society of North America Annual Meeting.

Technical Abstract: New mass spectrometry equipment is bringing closer to reality the rapid accurate assessment of chemical composition of extracts from a variety of plant materials. Using a variety of plant sources, we are using HPLC separation, UV-VIS spectrometry, ion trap mass fragmentation and accurate mass determination to quickly “fingerprint” plant extracts. Extracts from citrus, eastern red cedar, and brassica species are being evaluated. Camelina sativa (L. Crantz) seedmeals have been evaluated for their glucosinolate, flavonoid, and phenolic phytochemical composition by a combination of MS and NMR methods. The goal is to use this information in collaboration with instrument software and internet databases to quickly determine phytochemical composition. Accurate phytochemical analysis can then be translated into rapid non-destructive analytical methods, such as near infrared spectrometry, for rapid evaluation of agricultural crops and processed fractions.