Variation in the flavonol glycoside composition of almond seedcoats as determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Seedcoats of 16 almond varieties were screened for flavonol glycosides by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Flavonol glycosides were extracted by a simple methanolic extraction followed by a quick cleanup procedure with a Sep-Pak C-18 cartridge. Each of the 16 seedcoat samples exhibited a unique composition. Four flavonol glycosides, isorhamnetin rutinoside, isorhamnetin glucoside, kaempferol rutinoside, and kaempferol glucoside, were detected and quantified with use of rutin as an internal standard. Individual peak ratios were very consistent across triplicate analyses of all samples; the average standard deviation was 9%. In all almond varieties, isorhamnetin rutinoside was the most abundant flavonol glycoside, and the total content ranged from 75 to 250 mug/g.