Various applications of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to the analysis of phenolic compounds

Different options of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to e stablish the most suitable ion source and conditions to analyse or detect s ome low-molecular mass phenols, flavan-3-ols, and apply such conditions to a complex sample (wine). Data presented in this work confirm the great util ity of atmospheric pressure-ionisation electrospray mass spectrometry coupl ed to HPLC for analysis of phenolic compounds, under negative made in the c ase of low-molecular mass phenols, and under both positive and negative mod es in flavan-3-ol compounds. A fragmentor voltage of 60 V could be the most suitable for analysing the compounds under study. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.