Characterization of new phenolic compounds from leaves of Olea europaea L. by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry

A set of minor constituents of Olea europaea L. leaves have been identified and characterized by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) and high-resolution measurements (HRMS). Most of them are modified hydroxytyrosol species conjugated to a hexose unit. When possible, the structures of the new phenolic compounds present in Olea europaea L. have been confirmed by matching their MS/MS spectra with those of authentic standards isolated from other plants of the oleaceae family. The knowledge of the presence of new phenolic species in Olea europaea L. could provide tools for a full understanding of the secondary metabolism of this plant in relation to the biosynthesis of the phenolic species.