A simple, rapid, and reproducible
method for detecting 16 phenolics
including marker flavonoids, polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), dihydroxychalcones,
and phenolic acids was developed using ultrahigh-performance liquid
chromatography-diode array detector-quadrupole time-of-flight-ion
mobility mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-IMS). The effectiveness
of the method was assessed through limit of detection (0.0009–0.16
μg/mL), limit of quantification (0.0027–0.45 μg/mL),
and standard calibrations to validate at an optimized flow rate of
0.2 mL/min. Hesperidin as a major flavonoid and tangeretin as a PMF
were quantified in Citrus extracts, whereas phloridzin,
a major dihydroxychalcone, was quantified in Malus fruit. Freeze-dried and market edibles were also analyzed, compared,
and quantified. The two-dimensional IMS mode confirmed the presence
of naringin, hesperidin, nobiletin, and tangeretin in Citrus at frame numbers 666, 706, 1260, and 1301, respectively, in the
positive mode. Similarly, Malus samples showed phloretin
and phloridzin confirmed at 890 and 1198 frames, respectively, in
the negative mode. The present analytical approach aids the higher
applicability in quality assurance and development of food and phenolic
extracts derived from Citrus and Malus fruits in a single shot.