Characterization of active phenolic components in the ethanolic extract of Ananas comosus L. leaves using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and tandem mass spectrometry.

HPLC-DAD-MS was utilized to investigate the phytochemical constituents in ethanolic extract of Ananas comosus L. leaves (EEACL) responsible for antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative effects. Eight phenylpropane diglycerides, together with two hydroxycinnamic acids, three hydroxycinnamoyl quinic acids, four phenylpropane monoglycerides, three flavones and six phenylpropanoid glycosides were detected, and their proposed structures were elucidated based on HPLC retention time, UV and MS profiles. Meanwhile, a new HPLC-DAD-MS method was established for the identification and characterization of phenylpropane diglycerides in natural plants.