Metabolites profiling of Chrysanthemum pacificum Nakai parts using UPLC-PDA-MS coupled to chemometrics

Methanol-soluble constituents from the flowers, non-flowering aerial parts and roots of Chrysanthemum pacificum Nakai were analysed via high resolution UPLC-PDA-qTOF-MS followed by chemometrics. Forty-seven chromatographic peaks belonging to various metabolite classes were detected. Most metabolite classes showed qualitative and quantitative differences across parts, with luteolin conjugates being mostly enriched in flowers whereas non-flowering aerial parts contained mostly quercetin and methoxylated flavone conjugates. Root sample ranked the lowest for all flavones and dicaffeoylquinic acids. In contrast, 1,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid levels were found at high levels in flowers and aerial parts reaching 3145 and 1390 mu g/g, respectively, suggesting that C. pacificum could serve as a natural resource of this well-recognised anti-hepatotoxic phenolic. Principal component analysis was further used for organs classification in an untargeted manner. This study provides the first map of secondary metabolites distribution in C. pacificum Nakai organs.