The Analysis of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Chemical Composition by UPLC-Q-Exactive-Plus-Orbitrap-MS and GC-MS/MS.

BACKGROUND

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is widely used as a functional food and plays an important role in traditional medicine worldwide. However, a systematic analysis of its chemical components remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to comprehensively identify and analyze the chemical composition of both polar and nonpolar fractions of fennel, specifically its aqueous extracts and volatile oils.

METHODS

Polar metabolites, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins, were profiled using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive-plus-Orbitrap-MS), while gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was employed for the analysis of volatile constituents.

RESULTS

A total of 87 compounds were identified in the fennel aqueous extract, including 10 flavonoids, 11 phenolic acids, 3 coumarins, 1 stilbene, 14 alkaloids, 13 organic acids, 7 fatty acids, 10 amino acids, 6 nucleosides, 2 glycosides, 3 terpenoids, and 6 other components (containing 1 sugar alcohol). In addition, 13 compounds were identified in the fennel volatile oil using n-hexane and ethyl acetate as solvents, comprising 11 monoterpenes and 2 phenylpropanoids.

CONCLUSION

These findings expand our understanding of the chemical composition of fennel and provide a foundation for elucidating its pharmacodynamic properties.