Stilbenes represent a class of compounds with a common 1,2-diphenylethylene backbone that have shown extraordinary potential in the biomedical field. As the most well-known example, resveratrol proved to have anti-aging effects and significant potential in the fight against cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer. Mass spectrometry is an analytical method of critical importance in all studies related to stilbenes that are important in the biomedical field. From the discovery of new natural compounds and mapping the grape metabolome up to advanced investigations of stilbenes' potential for the protection of human health in clinical studies, mass spectrometry has provided critical analytical information. In this review we focus on various approaches related to mass spectrometry for the detection of stilbenes-such as coupling with chromatographic separation methods and direct infusion-with presentation of some illustrative applications. Clearly, the potential of mass spectrometry for assisting in the discovery of new stilbenes of biomedical importance, elucidating their mechanisms of action and quantifying minute quantities in complex matrices is far from being exhausted.
Keywords: Antioxidant; Mass spectrometry; Stilbenes; Wine.