Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric investigation of the chemical composition of the aquatic plant Wolffia arrhiza (Lemnaceae)

The ether and methanol extracts of Wolffia arrhiza (Lemnaceae) were analyzed using high resolution capillary gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The ether extract contains 32 compounds, mostly lipids and sterols, among which β-sitosterol is most prevalent. This is the first evidence of β-sitosterol detection in W. arrhiza. The most representative group of polar compounds of the methanol fraction is formed by 18 free amino acids. In addition, in the methanol extract there are a number of other nitrogen containing compounds: nucleobase and nucleosides. The third significant group in the total ion current in the methanol extract is formed by glycerol and glycerides. At the same time, the content of free sugar is very low.