The genus Ramalina (Ascomycota, Lecanoromycetes, Ramalinaceae) from the Scattered Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands), with descriptions of three new species

A systematic survey of lichens was performed in 2019 in four of the five territories constituting the French Scattered Islands (Europa Island, Juan de Nova, Glorioso Islands, and Tromelin) focusing on the genus Ramalina. Species were characterized using morphological (macroscopic and microscopic) features and an accurate chemical profiling method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). Five species were found in these territories. Two of them, Ramalina dumeticola and R. ovalis, are already known. Three species are introduced here as new to science: Ramalina gloriosensis sp. nov., R. hivertiana sp. nov., and R. marteaui sp. nov. An identification key is provided for the species found in the area and morphologically closely related taxa.

Phytochemical Characterization for Quality Control of Phyllostachys pubescens Leaves Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Diode Array Detector and Tandem Mass Detector

Phyllostachys pubescens leaves are cultivated in a number of Asian countries and have been used for antipyretic and diuretic effects since ancient times, especially in Korea. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate of analytical method for quality control of P. pubescens leaves using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC–DAD) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) detection. HPLC–DAD analysis was conducted with a Gemini C18 column, and distilled water–acetonitrile (both with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid) mobile-phase system. For the LC–MS/MS analysis, all markers were separated with a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column and gradient flow system of distilled water containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid and 5 mM ammonium formate–acetonitrile. In both method, major components were detected at 2.13–11.63 mg/g (HPLC–DAD) and 0.12–19.20 mg/g (LC–MS/MS). These methods were validated with respect to linearity (coefficient of determination >0.99), recovery (95.22–118.81%), accuracy (90.52–116.96), and precision (<4.0%), and were successfully applied for the quantitative analysis of P. pubescens leaves.

HPLC-DAD Analysis of Hemp Oil Supplements for Determination of Four Cannabinoids: Cannabidiol, Cannabidiolic Acid, Cannabinol and Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol

Growing consumer interest in hemp oilseed supplements requires quality control. Therefore, appropriate, effective and verified analytical methods are needed for the determination of some bioactive cannabinoids in them. The aim of the study is to present an extended (compared to our previous research) validated high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for the determination of four cannabinoids (cannabidiol, cannabidiolic acid, cannabinol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in an oil matrix, which was used to determine these cannabinoids in seven commercial hemp oil supplements. In our method, the isolation of the target compounds was based on liquid extraction with acetonitrile combined with the freezing (at −41 °C) of the oil phase. The results show that in some cases, the determined concentrations of cannabinoids in the tested supplements differ significantly from those declared by the manufacturers. As for the main medicinal cannabinoid (CBD) in hemp oil supplements, in two cases, the measured concentration was significantly lower (1.45 and 1.81%) than the declared (5 and 5%), and in the other supplements, the obtained results confirm the declared amount of CBD within the error range from 3.29 to 9.2%. Therefore, to ensure the safe and beneficial use of these supplements by consumers, it is necessary to monitor their cannabinoid composition.