The high-performance liquid chromatography/multistage electrospray mass spectrometric investigation and extraction optimization of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) bark polyphenols

• The HPLC–MS/MS characterization of beech bark polyphenols for the first time.
• Altogether 37 compounds have been tentatively identified and described.
• Comparison of three extraction methods basing on total phenols and MRM peak areas.
• Pure water can be an efficient solvent, supporting the concept of green extraction.

The aim of the present work was the high-performance liquid chromatographic separation and multistage mass spectrometric characterization of the polyphenolic compounds of beech bark, as well as the extraction optimization of the identified compounds. Beech is a common and widely used material in the wood industry, yet its bark is regarded as a by-product. Using appropriate extraction methods these compounds could be extracted and utilized in the future.Different extraction methods (stirring, sonication, microwave assisted extraction) using different solvents (water, methanol:water 80:20 v/v, ethanol:water 80:20 v/v) and time/temperature schedules have been compared basing on total phenol contents (Folin–Ciocâlteu) and MRM peak areas of the identified compounds to investigate optimum extraction efficiency.Altogether 37 compounds, including (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, quercetin-O-hexoside, taxifolin-O-hexosides (3), taxifolin-O-pentosides (4), B-type (6) and C-type (6) procyanidins, syringic acid- and coumaric acid-di-O-glycosides, coniferyl alcohol- and sinapyl alcohol-glycosides, as well as other unknown compounds with defined [M−H]− m/z values and MS/MS spectra have been tentatively identified.The choice of the method, solvent system and time/temperature parameters favors the extraction of different types of compounds. Pure water can extract compounds as efficiently as mixtures containing organic solvents under high-pressure and high temperature conditions. This supports the implementation of green extraction methods in the future. Extraction times that are too long and high temperatures can result in the decrease of the concentrations.Future investigations will focus on the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity and utilization possibilities of the prepared extracts.