Mass spectrometric characterization of flavonoids in extracts from Passiflora incarnata

Passiflora incarnata is a medicinal plant widely used for its sedative properties. The type of active compounds responsible for the sedative effects is not known yet, despite the fact that flavonoids are its most abundant active compounds. We present here a mass spectrometry study by ionspray ionization of extracts from Passiflora incarnata. The use of on-line HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry allowed the characterization of most of the flavonoids present. The interpretation of [M-H](-) product ion spectra permitted the identification of several isomeric flavonoids containing different sugar moieties on the same aglycone. Some minor components were partially characterized. Their possible structures have been postulated on the basis of their [M-H](-) product ion spectra. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.