Training Workshop: HPLC-MS Analysis of Flavonoids - report

On the 24th and 25th of October 2013, twelve students from different European countries (Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Serbia, Spain, United Kingdom) visited the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops Grossbeeren/Erfurt e.V. in Grossbeeren (Germany) to attend the COST UV4Growth training school‚ HPLC-MS techniques for the identification and quantification of flavonoids and phenolic acids in plants exposed to UV-B.

The training school provided an overview on the technique of mass spectrometry for the early stage researchers. The trainees identified and quantified flavonoid glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in peach that are relevant for a response to UV-B radiation. A practical demonstration of the extraction and measurement of flavonoid glycosides and other phenolic compounds showed the basic methodology that can be further developed to measure phenolics in a broad range of different plant tissues and species. Finally, a literature research was done so that the early stage researchers got an overview how mass spectrometric data are presented and how different flavonoid classes and other phenolic compound are extracted and measured by HPLC-MS. The participants were highly motivated during the training school and especially enjoyed the group work so that this training school was a fruitful experience for all of us.