Characterization of Flavonoid Constituents in Four Yellow Camellia Leaves by UHPLC-MS/MS

BACKGROUND: Yellow camellias, recognized as health-promoting teas, are underexplored in terms of their flavonoid profiles. This study systematically investigates the flavonoid composition of four yellow camellia species: C. euphlebia, C. ptilosperma, C. nitidissima, and C. tunghinensis. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to systematically identify and quantify the flavonoid constituents in the leaves of four representative yellow camellia species (C. euphlebia, C. ptilosperma, C. nitidissima, and C. tunghinensis) using UHPLC-based mass spectrometry techniques. METHODS: Flavonoid constituents were identified using UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS. Quantitative analysis of 13 major flavonoids was conducted with a validated UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS method. RESULTS: A total of 189 flavonoid compounds were identified across all species. Quantitative analysis revealed significant interspecies variation in flavonoid content. C. nitidissima exhibited the highest flavonoid content (145.73 mg/g), followed by C. euphlebia (105.19 mg/g), C. ptilosperma (54.51 mg/g), and C. tunghinensis (51.68 mg/g). CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes comprehensive flavonoid profiles for four yellow camellia species, highlighting the species-specific differences in flavonoid levels and emphasizing their rich and diverse phytochemical compositions. HIGHLIGHTS: This study systematically investigates the flavonoid composition of four yellow camellia species: C. euphlebia, C. ptilosperma, C. nitidissima, and C. tunghinensis.