Systemic chemical characterization of Lemna minor by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS coupled with parallel reaction monitoring.

Lemna minor L. (LM) has been used for measles opacity, rubella itching, edema, and oliguria, and the main active ingredients were flavonoids, namely, apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside. However, few systematic analyses of their constituents have been performed; thus, it was necessary to establish a fast and efficient method to identify the chemical composition of LM. In this study, the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry coupled with parallel reaction monitoring was established. Finally, a total of 112 constituents, including 30 dipeptides, 28 nucleosides, 11 amino acids, 10 organic acids, 10 flavonoids, and 23 other compounds, were identified by MS, diagnostic fragment ions, and retention time. One hundred one of those chemicals were first found in LM, which was very beneficial for the further development and utilization of nutriments and the medicinal use of LM.