Polyamines conjugated with hydroxycinnamic acids are phenolic compounds, which are widespread in the plant kingdom playing important roles in development and defence responses. This chapter describes the methodology employed to analyze these phenolamides in plant material by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). These compounds are not always in sufficient concentration in plant tissues for analysis by more conventional methods such as UV detection of HPLC. Owing to their particular molecular structure, they cannot be analyzed as free polyamines. Thus, described herein is an extraction method for hydroxycinnamic acid amides in plant tissues such as leaves, and their analysis by LC-MS-MS, including identification and quantification protocols.
Keywords: HCAA identification; HCAA quantification; Hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAA); LC-MS-MS; Polyamine conjugates.