Analysis of pentacyclic triterpenoids and phytosterols in cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) by LC–MS/MS

Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) is a plant rich in various biologically active compounds. In this work, the composition and concentrations of pentacyclic triterpenoids (PCTs) and phytosterols in various parts of cloudberries were studied using high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry by multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM, targeted analysis) and precursor ion scan mode (non-targeted analysis and semi-quantitative determination). Moderately polar fractions of cloudberry leaves, sepals and berries extracts are rich in β-sitosterol glycoside and various triterpenoid acids, among which tormentic acid (∼190–1800 μg/g dw part of cloudberries) and its hydroxyl derivatives (∼3.1–470 μg/g dw part of cloudberries) predominate. Non-polar fractions are characterised by the presence of amyrins (0.76–110 μg/g dw part of cloudberries), β-sitosterol (62–750 µg/g dw part of cloudberries) and β-sitosterol glycoside (∼92–360 μg/g dw sepals).