Identification of metabolite compounds from ethanolic extract of the red gedi leaves (Abelmoschus manihot L. medik) by LC-ESI-MS

Abelmoschus manihot L. Medic, commonly called ‘‘red gedi’’, is an endemic species of Minahasa, Indonesia. The leaves of red gedi have been widely used in ethnomedicine and functional food as an antidiabetic. In this study, the ethanolic extract of the red gedi leaves was characterized by using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Compounds identified were phenolic acid derivates, flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols, alkaloids, and lignans. The most abundant flavonoids in the extract sample were quercetin derivatives. In total, 38 metabolite compounds were identified in red gedi leaves and were reported for the first time, including alpha spinasterol which is newly identified in this particular Abelmoschus species.