Compositional diversity of iridoids, phenolic compounds, and crocins in Gardenia jasminoides fruits of different varieties

By using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS 2 and HPLC-DAD, 62 phytochemicals were characterized from fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (GF) and G. jasminoides var. radicans Makino (GFV), mainly covering iridoids, crocins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonols. Most identified compounds were found at higher levels in GF than in GFV. A clear compositional diversity was observed between hulls and dehulled fractions of fruits. The dehulled parts had higher levels of iridoids (71–75 vs. 61–66 mg/g dry weight, DW, 3 biological replicates applied) and crocins (14–21 vs. 10–17 mg/g DW), whereas minor phytochemicals such as hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols were concentrated in the hulls. The dominant phytochemicals in the dehulled fruits were geniposide (44–46 mg/g DW) and crocin I (11–16 mg/g DW). In contrast, geniposide (20–28 mg/g dry weight, DW) and gardenoside (19–24 mg/g DW) represented half percentage of the total content of phytochemicals identified in the hulls. • G. jasminoides fruits were rich in iridoids, crocins, phenolic acids, and flavonols. • Phytochemical profile of G. jasminoides fruits was related to the fruit tissues. • The dominant compounds in dehulled fruits are geniposide and crocin I. • Hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonol glycosides presented mainly in hull fraction. • Aqueous methanol was effective to extract phytochemicals in G. jasminoides fruits.