Identification and quantification of flavonoid glycosides from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) germinated seeds by LC–DAD–ESI/MS analysis

The phenolic composition of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) germinated seeds originating from Morocco has been investigated. After germination, extraction was performed from defatted germinated seeds by a hydromethanolic solution using an accelerated solvent extractor. HPLC coupled to negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and diode array detection was employed to identify the polyphenol in the obtained fenugreek germinated seeds extract. A total of 28 identified phenolic compounds were grouped into flavone di C-glycosides, flavonol O-diglycosides, flavone tri- and tetra O-, C-glycosides and acylated flavone O-, C-glycosides. Most of the identified flavones were apigenin and luteolin adducts, while only two kaempferol glycosides were detected as flavonols. Quantitative analysis of the identified compounds showed that the phenolic composition of the studied germinated fenugreek seeds was predominated by acylated and non-acylated flavone derivatives with apigenin as main aglycone. Germinated fenugreek seeds could be considered as a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds.