Determination and Characterization of phenolic Constituents from Flowers of Chamomile samples using UHPLC-QTOF-MS

Chamomile has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant mostly for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic and sedative properties. As a member of Asteraceae family, it is widely represented by two known chemo-varieties viz German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). German chamomile in particular is the most common variety used for medicinal purposes. A new rapid UHPLC-UV-MS method has been developed that permits the analysis of nine chemical constituents (cis-GMCA [1], chlorogenic acid [2], trans-GMCA [3], quercetagetin [4], apigetrin [5], chamaemeloside [6], apigenin-7-(6''-acetyl-Glc) [7], apigenin [8], tonghaosu [9]) from flower heads of chamomile samples. The chromatographic separation was achieved using a reversed phase C18 column with a mobile phase of water and acetonitrile, both containing 0.05% formic acid. German chamomile showed for the presence of compounds 1 – 5, 7 – 9; Roman chamomile showed for the presence of compounds 2, 4 – 6, 8 – 9. LC-mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI) interface method is described for the identification of nine compounds in plant samples. This method involved the use of the [M+Na]⁺ and [M+H]⁺ ions in the positive ion mode with extractive ion chromatogram (EIC).