Preliminary screening of potential flavonoid-subclasses in Myristica fragrans and Cordyline terminalis by LC- ESI-MS

Although extensive literature exists on antioxidant properties of medicinal plants, very few studies have focused on their polyphenolic composition. Here, preliminary phytochemical screening and total flavonoid content in extracts of seeds of Myristica fragrans and leaves of Cordyline terminalis have been investigated. Screening of potential flavonoid-subclasses was done by LC-ESI-MS, whose data were interpreted using database of Lipid Metabolites and Pathways Strategy Consortium. ‘Flavones and Flavonols’ and ‘Anthocyanidins’ appear to be more abundant in C. terminalis than in M. fragrans. Higher content of isoflavonoids, chalcones and dihydrochalcones and some isoprenoids were observed in M. fragrans than in C. terminalis. The strategy and results of this study will help to choose appropriate standards prior to their identification and confirmation in natural extracts. These results may also be useful to assess antioxidant activity of only the subclass alone and accordingly appropriate subclasses can be selected to prepare formulations having nutraceutical applications.