Integrated LC-DAD-QToF-MS Characterization and Quantitative Profiling of Polyphenolic Metabolites in Idesia polycarpa

Idesia polycarpa, a dioecious tree distributed in East Asia, is known for its pharmacologically relevant secondary metabolites. In this study, a comprehensive phytochemical investigation was conducted to characterize and quantify the major polyphenolic metabolites across different plant tissues. Leaves and stems from both female and male plants, together with unripe and ripe fruits from female trees, were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-QToF-MS). Four major polyphenolic compounds (idesin, chlorogenic acid, idescarpin, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) were identified and quantified. Idescarpin was the predominant compound in all tissues, with the highest concentration in ripe fruits (122.9 mg/g), followed by unripe fruits (105.0 mg/g) and female leaves (99.1 mg/g). Idesin was also enriched in fruits, reaching 16.3 mg/g in ripe fruits. In contrast, chlorogenic acid and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide were mainly detected at 4.6 and 5.8 mg/g, respectively, in female leaves. Comparisons between male and female plants indicated moderate differences, although organ type and developmental stage had a greater influence on metabolite accumulation. This study provides a detailed quantitative profile of major polyphenolic metabolites in I. polycarpa and highlights significant tissue-and developmental-stage-dependent variation, contributing to a better understanding of the chemical diversity of this species.