Identification of bioactive compounds in red watermelon extract using qualitative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Purpose: To qualitatively determine the bioactive compounds in red watermelon fruit extract using LC-MS/MS Methods: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to identify and characterize the bioactive compounds in red watermelon fruit extract, with optimization of chromatographic and MS/MS parameters. Results: The use of total ion chromatogram (TIC) for extraction of fragmentation products from target m/z revealed the retention times for various compounds. Lycopene compounds had retention time (tR) of 1.08 min; retinol (vitamin A) had tR of 1.14 min, while citrulline had tR of 1.23 min. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) had tR of 1.35 min, while α-tocopherol (vitamin E) had tR of 9.93 min. Conclusion: Using LC-MS/MS analysis, lycopene, citrulline, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E have been identified as primary bioactive compounds in red watermelon pulp extract.