FTICR/MS Analysis of Micromeria Fruticosa and Teucrium Polium Growing in Lebanon

Micomeria fruticosa and Teucrium polium are Lamiaceae plants found throughout the Mediterranean, including Lebanon. Aerial parts of both plants were taken from a rocky mountain in Lebanon's Bekaa region and alcoholic extraction and chromatographic separation were performed. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) was used to examine crude extracts of both plants A and B, as well as their fractions. The mass spectra of both plants revealed great chemical complexity with a total of 6352 ions (peaks) for crude extract of plant A and 5147 ions (peaks) for extract B. The majority of chemicals found in both plants are condensed aromatics, particularly polyphenols which could explain the previously documented anticancer effects of both plants.

Key words: Micromeria, Teucrium chromatographic analysis, FTICR-MS.