Compositional diversity of iridoids, phenolic compounds, and crocins in Gardenia jasminoides fruits of different varieties

Abstract

<p>By using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS² and HPLC-DAD, 62 phytochemicals were characterized from fruits of <em>Gardenia jasminoides</em> Ellis (GF) and <em>G</em>.<em> jasminoides</em> var. <em>radicans</em> Makino (GFV), mainly covering iridoids, crocins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonols. Most identified compounds were found at higher levels in GF than in GFV. A clear compositional diversity was observed between hulls and dehulled fractions of fruits. The dehulled parts had higher levels of iridoids (71–75 <em>vs.</em> 61–66 mg/g dry weight, DW; 3 biological replicates applied) and crocins (14–21 <em>vs.</em> 10–17 mg/g DW), whereas minor phytochemicals such as hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols were concentrated in the hulls. The dominant phytochemicals in the dehulled fruits were geniposide (44–46 mg/g DW) and crocin I (11–16 mg/g DW). In contrast, geniposide (20–28 mg/g dry weight, DW) and gardenoside (19–24 mg/g DW) represented half percentage of the total content of phytochemicals identified in the hulls.<br></p>