Untargeted Metabolomics by Using UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS of an Extract Obtained with Ethyl Lactate Green Solvent from Salvia rosmarinus

Salvia rosmarinus (Lamiaceae), previously known as Rosmarinus officinalis, is a plant cultivated worldwide, native to the Mediterranean region. Its leaves are traditionally used for cooking. This species possesses numerous biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. These biological properties are due to the presence of phenolic compounds, including rosmarinic acid and phenolic diterpenoids, such as carnosic acid and carnosol. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition of a green extract obtained by maceration with ethyl lactate for the first time. Seventy-five compounds were tentatively identified by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS, including six organic acids, six cinnamic acid derivatives, five fatty acids, eighteen flavonoids, and thirty-eight terpenoids. Thus, abietane-type diterpenoids from the ethyl lactate extract were the predominant diterpenoids in the Chilean S. rosmarinus species, in contrast to the Chinese species, in which labdane and isopimarane-type diterpenoids were found for the first time. Finally, our study confirms that the extraction of S. rosmarinus with green ethyl lactate as a solvent is efficient and sustainable for the identification of flavonoids, phenols, and terpenoids from leaves.

Automated summary

Salvia rosmarinus is a plant with various biological activities, and its leaves are traditionally used for cooking. This study investigated the chemical composition of a green extract obtained by maceration with ethyl lactate, identifying numerous compounds including organic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids.