Metabolic profiling of <em>Micromeria fruticosa </em>infusion<strong> </strong>

Micromeria fruticosa (Lamiaceae), also known as White micromeria, is a widely distributed dwarf perennial herb, indigenous to Palestine and the Mediterranean region. M. fruticosa is found in rocky areas, and its fresh or dried herbal tissues are commonly used as a flavoring; when crushed these tissues emit a peppermint-like odor. The tisane/infusion of M. fruticosa leaves and areal parts are used to relieve stomachaches and heart disorders, colds, diarrhea, eye infections, weariness, wounds, hypertension, and exhaustion. M. fruticosa has also been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and gastroprotective activities. Although many attempts have studied the essential oil composition of some Micromeria species, the study of other phytochemicals and secondary metabolites is still scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate the metabolites in the infusion of M. fruticosa. Samples of M. fruticosa were macerated with aqueous methanol, and following centrifugation the supernatant was collected. The analysis of the phytochemicals from M. fruticosa infusion was carried out on an Agilent 1200 series LC equipped with an Agilent Zorbax C18 column. Acidic water and acetonitrile were used as mobile phases. The HPLC system was coupled to Q-TOF-MS equipped with an ESI source operated in the negative ion mode, over the range of m/z 50-1100. The analysis of the infusion of M. fruticosa leaves by means of HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS2 idetified more than 160 primary and secondary metabolites (i.e., sugars, peptides, phenolic acids, flavonoids glycosides, lignans, and terpenoids derivatives), highlighting the importance of this plant as a functional food and as a promising source of bioactive phytochemicals.