UF-LC-DAD-MSn for discovering enzyme inhibitors for nutraceuticals and functional foods

The technique of ultrafiltration liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UF-LC-MSn) in screening enzyme inhibitors has emerged as an efficient tool for high-throughput screening of bioactives. The mini-review discusses about the principles of the UF-LC-MSn method and its applications in the discovery of bioactives in herbs and foods that are specific inhibitors of important proteins/enzymes related to human health. The advantageous and disadvantages of the method is critically assessed, and its potential use in functional food and nutraceutical research is addressed.