A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Beyond compound‑specific methods: Group‑specific UHPLC-MS/MS enables rapid detection and quantitation of all glucosinolates




AuthorsFock, Ville; Luntamo, Niko; Salminen, Juha-Pekka

Publication year2026

Journal: Journal of Chromatography A

Article number466913

Volume1775

ISSN0021-9673

eISSN1873-3778

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2026.466913

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2026.466913

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/522938458

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Glucosinolates are widely consumed specialized metabolites predominantly found in the Brassicaceae family. Existing analytical methods typically target only specific subsets of glucosinolates and therefore lack the versatility required for comprehensive glucosinolate screening. Hence, there is a gap in analytical methods targeting glucosinolates that can detect any glucosinolate within a given matrix. In this study, targeted compound group‑specific multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) methods were developed and validated for comprehensive qualitative and quantitative profiling of glucosinolates. Among all glucosinolate group-specific fragment ions evaluated, five (m/z 96, 97, 241, 259, and 275) were selected for product ion optimization and method validation. Of the fifteen transitions selected for method validation, four were retained in the final MRM method based on sensitivity and selectivity. Additionally, the performances of the group-specific methods were compared against simultaneously created compound-specific MRM methods. Although the more traditional compound‑specific methods offered slightly improved sensitivity, they were limited to detect only individual glucosinolates. While detecting whole glucosinolate groups, the group‑specific MRM methods showed lowest limits of detection (LOD) ranging from 11.5 to 87.3 ng/mL, and the upper limits of quantitation (ULOQ) from 2.5 to 55 µg/mL. High‑resolution group-specific PRM methods enabled accurate glucosinolate characterization and yielded LODs for the best precursor ion m/z 259 between 44.1 and 473.6 ng/mL, with ULOQs ranging from 8 to 50 µg/mL. Application of the methods demonstrated their capability to detect 51 distinct glucosinolates across 19 plant species.


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Funding information in the publication
This project was supported by grant from the Magnus Ehrnrooth foundation.


Last updated on 21/04/2026 10:15:12 AM