Characterization of Corn Silk Extract Using HPLC/HRMS/MS Analyses and Bioinformatic Data Processing.

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Phytochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Corn silk possesses biological activities and plays a role in plant defense.
• Existing knowledge of corn silk's phytochemical composition is limited.
• Understanding phytochemicals can aid in selecting varieties for improved resistance or bioactive properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively map the phytochemical profile of corn silk extract.
• To identify and characterize major compound classes within corn silk.
• To establish a detailed phytochemical analysis for corn silk.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC/HRMS).
• Employed Kendrick and van Krevelen plots for homologous series analysis.
• Used mass spectral similarity networks (GNPS, Cytoscape) for refined compound identification.

Main Results:

• Identified homologous series of lipids, monoglycosylated and diglycosylated flavonoids, and organic acids.
• Characterized 7 nitrogenous, 28 lipidic, and 67 phenolic compounds.
• Successfully identified 104 distinct molecules in the corn silk extract.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first detailed phytochemical analysis of corn silk extract.
• The identified compounds provide insights into corn silk's defense mechanisms and bioactive potential.
• The comprehensive analysis facilitates the selection of corn varieties for specific agricultural or medicinal applications.