UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS profiling of phenolic and carotenoid compounds and their influence on anticholinergic potential for AChE and BuChE inhibition and on-line antioxidant activity of selected Hippophaë rhamnoides L. cultivars

This study aimed to identify by UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS and quantify by UPLC-PDA phenolic compounds (26 flavonols and 2 phenolic acids) and carotenoids (16) from berries of different cultivars of Hippophaë rhamnoides and determine correlations between these variables and in vitro anticholinergic and on-line antioxidant potential. Isorhamnetin derivatives presented over 65% of total flavonols, but quercetin and kaempferol derivatives were also determined. Carotenes accounted for 19 to 47%, xanthophylls 16 to 81% of total carotenoids. Pearson's correlations between AChE and BuChE inhibition and phenolic acid content were low (r = 0.388 and 0.355), moderate for carotenoids (0.504 and 0.437) and high for flavonols (0.851 and 0.614). The PCA biplot showed the highest correlation between anticholinergic activity and all-trans-ß-cryptoxanthin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-(2-rhamnosyl)glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-hexoside-7-O-rhamnoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-(6-rhamnosyl)hexoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside concentrations. The results obtained can be used to identify sea buckthorn cultivars, develop crops and production, and design functional products rich in flavonols and carotenoids with anticholinergic properties.