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Identification of novel lignans in the whole grain rye bran by non-targeted LC–MS metabolite profiling

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Abstract

Rye (Secale cereale) is among the richest dietary sources of lignan phytochemicals. Lignans are one of the suggested metabolite groups to contribute to the beneficial health effects of whole grain products evidenced in epidemiological studies. So far, the complete repertoire of lignan derivatives in rye, especially in the bran, has not been fully described. In this study, ten novel oligomeric sesqui- and dilignans were identified in rye bran by the use of high resolution LC–MS analysis (i.e., UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS). Putative identification of lignan components in the bran was performed by combining: (i) detailed inspection of the fragmentation behavior of available standard compounds belonging to different lignan types, (ii) interpretation of MS/MS data obtained from unknown metabolites in the samples. This combined analysis, particularly detailed MS/MS characterization, is most valuable for non-targeted assays in metabolite-rich matrices such as plant extracts, in which the verification of identity with authentic standards for each detected metabolite is normally not possible. Metabolomics analysis will increasingly aid in deciphering the active compounds in dietary products as part of studies aiming at elucidating the link between human health and nutrition.

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Acknowledgments

This work is funded by the Nordforsk Nordic Centre of Excellence project “HELGA—whole grains and health” (KH, HM). Funding from Academy of Finland is gratefully acknowledged (KP). AA is the incumbent of the Adolpho and Evelyn Blum Career Development Chair. The work in the Aharoni lab was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) project SAMIT (FP7 program) and the Benoziyo Institute. We are grateful to Arye Tishbee for operating the LC–MS instrument and to Sagit Meir for assistance in LC–MS sample preparation. Michael Bailey and Olavi Myllymäki are acknowledged for technological expertise in preparation of rye fractions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Food and Health Research Centre, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Kati Hanhineva, Kaisa Poutanen & Hannu Mykkänen

  2. Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Plant Sciences, P.O. Box 26, 76100, Rehovot, Israel

    Ilana Rogachev & Asaph Aharoni

  3. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O. Box 1000, 02044, VTT, Finland

    Anna-Marja Aura & Kaisa Poutanen

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  1. Kati Hanhineva
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  2. Ilana Rogachev
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  3. Anna-Marja Aura
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  4. Asaph Aharoni
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  5. Kaisa Poutanen
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  6. Hannu Mykkänen
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Correspondence to Kati Hanhineva.

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Hanhineva, K., Rogachev, I., Aura, AM. et al. Identification of novel lignans in the whole grain rye bran by non-targeted LC–MS metabolite profiling. Metabolomics 8, 399–409 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-011-0325-0

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