Optimizing methods to characterize caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acids in Salicornia sinus-persica and Salicornia bigelovii extracts by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Three types of phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acid) were identified and quantified in two halophytic plants (Salicornia bigelovii and Salicornia sinus-persica). Analysis was performed using a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) system via the standard addition method. The matrix effect (ME), recovery efficiency (RE), and process efficiency (PE) parameters were evaluated for S. bigelovii extracts, which revealed a strong ME on the ionization of the three acids. The matrix had little to no effect on the extraction step for all samples. The quantitation results revealed that S. bigelovii was more abundant in the acids analyzed (total of 319.2 µg/g dry water extract) when compared to S. sinus-persica (117.2 µg/g dry water extract), and chlorogenic acid was the dominant component. The extractives content was high in both plants, representing over 35% of the dry plant weight. All the extracts exhibited antioxidant activity toward both DPPH and ABTS radicals at levels comparable to other medicinal plants.