UPLC-orbitrap-MS/MS based characterization of phytochemical compounds from Malaysia purple corn (Zea mays)

Abstract

Purple corn (Zea mays) is one of the newly introduced important cash crops in Malaysia. It is a fast turnover crop, health-promoting that partially due to the secondary metabolite composition. However, little is known on its content and its secondary metabolite since it is first planted in Malaysia. Purple corn kernels were extracted in 1.5 N HCl-95% ethanol and the extracted compounds were separated on a C18 column followed by an extensive characterization using UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS method in two ionization modes. A total of 12 metabolite compounds belong to different chemical groups (phenolic, flavonoid, alkaloid, ester, and fatty acid) and other organic compounds were tentatively identified, offering the first qualitative analysis available on the phytochemicals from purple corn. The data obtained in this study will provide a better understanding on the chemical composition of purple corn in Malaysia and hence, it could be used in food product developments and nutraceutical research based on this newly introduced crop.