A novel HPLC-MS/MS approach for the identification of biological thiols in vegetables

Thiols are important natural molecules with diverse functions, ranging from acting as antioxidants that prevent chronic diseases to contributing aromas to foods and beverages. Biological thiols such as glutathione are of particular interest due to their functional roles, which include helping maintain cellular redox homeostasis and detoxifying reactive oxygen species. However, knowledge of thiol metabolism in plants is limited to studying known compounds, whereas other important thiol-containing metabolites could also exist. This work aimed to develop a new analytical approach for screening of thiols in plants, using four vegetal examples and beginning with HPLC-MS/MS in precursor ion scan mode, after extraction and thiol-specific derivatisation with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine (DTDP). Compound identity for prospective thiols was then proposed using HPLC with high resolution MS, and verified with authentic standards. This approach could lead to prospecting studies that identify thiols with potential roles in metabolic pathways, nutritional value of vegetables, or flavouring of foods.

Automated summary

Thiols are important natural molecules with diverse functions in plants, and this study developed a new analytical approach for screening thiols in plants. This method could identify thiols with potential roles in metabolic pathways, nutritional value of vegetables, or flavouring of foods.