Determination of the phenolic profile of peach (Prunus persica L.) kernels using UHPLC-LTQ OrbiTrap MS/MS technique

Recently, search for new natural sources of compounds with health-enhancing properties prompted interest in fruit kernels. This paper aims to assess peach kernels as a source of nutritionally important compounds, such as phenolic compounds. A total of 25 kernels from various peach germplasm differing in origin and ripening time were characterized by their phenolic profiles. Ultra-high-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Linear Trap Quadrupole and OrbiTrap MS/MS hybrid mass spectrometry was used for determination of 76 different organic compounds. The content of identified phenolic compounds indicated peach kernel as reliable source of bioactive substances with prevalent concentrations of catechin and several phenolic acids. Statistical procedures confirm that phenolic compounds could be used as phytochemical biomarkers to differentiate peach kernel samples belonging to different cultivars/genotypes according to their origin and ripening time. The CATPCA confirmed the possibility of application of chemical profiles presented only as categorical variables for classification