Ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the rapid phenolic profiling of red maple (Acer rubrum) leaves

Chunting Li, Navindra P Seeram

Phenolic Composition & Bioactive Density

In Simple Terms:

Red maple leaf contains an unusually complex and dense composition of bioactive compounds, making it one of the most compositionally unique botanical sources studied for skincare applications.

Key Findings:

Through advanced phytochemical analysis, researchers identified a diverse range of phenolic compounds within red maple leaves.

These compounds include galloylated catechins and other polyphenols known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and structural-supporting properties.

The unusually high diversity and novelty of these compounds position red maple leaf as a uniquely potent botanical source compared to traditional plant extracts used in skincare.

  • 106 phenolic compounds identified

  • 75 newly identified compounds

  • 11 previously unknown to science

Study Breakdown:

Why It Matters for your skin:

Not all botanical extracts are equal.

A higher diversity of bioactive compounds means broader support for the skin — including elasticity, structure, and environmental defense.