Profiling phenolic glycosides in Populus deltoides and Populus grandidentata by leaf spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

Phenolic glycosides (PGs) are phytochemicals known to be present at up to 30% of dry plant mass in the Salicaceae family. These compounds are secondary metabolites that play an important role in the interactions between plants and herbivores by functioning as defense chemicals. The use of leaf spray as an ambient ionization source, along with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), is described here as a useful tool for qualitatively determining the presence or absence of a variety of PGs in Populus deltoides (eastern cottonwood) and Populus grandidentata (bigtooth aspen). Sensitivity and selectivity were enhanced by the addition of sodium or potassium ions to the spray solvent.