Comprehensive Characterization and Quantification of Antioxidant Compounds in Finger Lime (Citrus australasica L.) by HPLC-QTof-MS and UPLC-MS/MS

Australian finger limes (Citrus australasica L.), an unusual citrus due to its unique pulp with a caviar-like appearance, has reached the global market as promising source of bioactive compounds that promote health. This research was, therefore, performed shed light on bioactivity and composition different parts Citrus L. (peel pulp). Initial ultrasound-assisted extraction using MeOH:H2O (80:20, v/v) was carried out. After that, four fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol water) were generated through liquid–liquid partitioning, total phenolic content (TPC) antioxidant activity evaluated Folin–Ciocalteu ferric reducing power (FRAP) assays, respectively. The acetate fraction in peel, which presented highest values TPC activity, characterized high-performance liquid chromatography coupled quadrupole time-of-flight (HPLC-QTof) mass spectrometry. Fifteen identified, seven for first time this matrix. Moreover, ten quantified ultra-performance tandem spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). major sample citric acid, pyrogallol, caffeic coumarin, rutin, naringin, 2-coumaric didymin, naringenin isorhamnetin, found range from 2.7 8106.7 µg/g dry weight. Finally, results novel work confirmed peel by-product C. is potential could result positive outcome food, cosmetics pharmaceutical industries.