Comparison of the Chemical Profiles of Sagebrush Subspecies Using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate) is the most widespread shrub in North America3, therefore understanding its function is important in conservation and ensuring that the ecosystem does not falter. Sagebrush species and subspecies have complex and distinctive chemical profiles. It is important to understand how the chemistry of sagebrush relates to maintaining a healthy habitat and ecosystem for other species. In order to characterize distinctive chemical profiles of sagebrush species and subspecies, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis was carried out on individual plants of two sagebrush species, Artemisia tridentate ssp. tridentate and Artemisia tridentate ssp. wyomingensis, in two different seasons. Sagebrush foliage was collected from the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Orchard Common Garden in southwestern Idaho. The chemical profiles of foliage extracts were determined using LC/MS. Individual compounds were monitored using UV absorbance and retention times. Chemical profiles of sagebrush subspecies were consistent for individual plants over time. Chemical profiles of Artemisia tridentate ssp. tridentate with 2n ploidy were uniform across samples. However, the chemical profiles of Artemisia tridentate ssp. tridentate with 4n ploidy and Artemisia tridentate ssp. wyomingensis with 4n ploidy showed more variation. This study will contribute to understanding how sagebrush chemistry may be a variable in the matrix of ecological interactions