Phytochemical Study of the Composition of the Unsaponifiable Fraction of Various Vegetable Oils by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract: We developed a method for quantitatively analyzing some components of the unsaponifiable fraction of edible oils and validated its characteristics. The component composition of the unsaponifiable fraction of 26 edible oil species was studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Squalene, sterols, and triterpene alcohols were quantified in oils using cholestenol as an internal standard. Some correlations were found between the structure of sterols and triterpene alcohols and their retention indices and electron impact fragmentation. More than 150 chemical compounds—unsaponifiable components—were identified. The method can be used to estimate the concentration of sterols, triterpene alcohols, and squalene in edible oils and determine the authenticity of oils by the characteristic profiles of the unsaponifiable fraction. © 2021, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Coltsfoot leaves (Tussilago farfara L.) a promising source of essential amino acids

Objective: Free and bounded amino acids are one of the valuable biologically active substances (BAS) containing in medicinal plants with other BAS groups. The research aims to determine the profile and content of free and bounded amino acids in coltsfoot leaves infusion by HPLC-UV, as well as suggest alternative ways to use it in medicine. Materials and methods: Coltsfoot leaves (crushed herbal drug) were used as plant material for preparing infusion and analysis. Amino acids profile and content were analyzed by RP-HPLC-UV after pre-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (OPA) (derivatization of primary amines) and with fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) (secondary amines). The sources of scientific literature concerning the amino acid composition of crushed herbal drugs were also studied. Results: 10 free and 13 bounded amino acids were identified in coltsfoot leaves infusion. Total content was 44.04±2.20 mg/g (Arg > Tyr > Gln > Ala > Asn > Met > Ile > Val > Lys > Leu) and 57.79±2.89 mg/g (Arg > Gln > Lys > Tyr > Gly > Asn > Val > Thr > Ala > Ile > Nva > Leu > Met) respectively. Content of essential amino acids - 0,89±0,04 mg/g (5 free); 9,58±0,48 mg/g (5 bounded). Conclusions: Since the coltsfoot leaves contain a significant amount of arginine, studies involving the prevention and adjunctive treatment of viral diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 virus infection (COVID-19), are promising. © 2020 EManuscript Technologies. All rights reserved