Metabolomics, the comprehensive analysis of metabolites within biological systems, offers deep insights into metabolic processes, bridging fundamental biochemistry and practical applications in medicine, agriculture, and food science. This article explores three diverse applications of metabolomics, highlighting its role in driving innovations that impact everyday life.
Graceful Aging: The Case of Tangerine Peel
Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), or dried tangerine peel, is highly valued in Chinese medicine for its health benefits. Research on long-term storage revealed increased phenolic acids and antioxidant activity over time [1]. Using advanced LC-MS-based metabolomics, 161 compounds were identified, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and amino acids. The findings confirm that aged CRP has superior therapeutic qualities, supporting its traditional use and storage.
Unlocking the Secrets of Pu-erh Tea Through Microbial Metabolomics
Pu-erh tea fermentation involves a dynamic interplay of microbes transforming polysaccharides into distinct metabolites, altering the tea’s flavor. Genomic and metabolomic analyses have traced microbial roles, guiding improvements in production efficiency and flavor consistency, preserving Pu-erh tea’s beloved characteristics [2].
Exploring Citrus Biochemistry: A Metabolomic Approach
Advanced LC-MS-based metabolomics on Citrus aurantium L. (bitter orange) revealed 147 components, including 92 previously unidentified [3]. This detailed metabolic profiling highlights geographic variations in compound profiles, informing nutritional science and exploring new uses for Citrus aurantium in functional foods.
Metabolomics reshapes our understanding of chemical interactions in biological systems, unveiling potentials for drug safety, food quality, and nutritional value. This cross-disciplinary approach offers practical benefits, from safer drugs to tastier, healthier foods, contributing to our pursuit of health and well-being.
*Notes: This article provides research teasers for each reference to showcase the novelties
References
[1] X. Bian et al., “Dynamic changes of phenolic acids and antioxidant activity of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium during aging processes,” Food Chemistry, vol. 373, p. 131399, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131399.
[2] X. Bian et al., “Microbiota drive insoluble polysaccharides utilization via microbiome-metabolome interplay during Pu-erh tea fermentation,” Food Chemistry, vol. 377, p. 132007, May 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.132007.
[3] W. Miao et al., “Polarity-extended composition profiling via LC-MS-based metabolomics approaches: A key to functional investigation of Citrus aurantium L,” Food Chemistry, vol. 405, p. 134988, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134988.
Metabolomics, the comprehensive analysis of metabolites within biological systems, offers deep insights into metabolic processes, bridging fundamental biochemistry and practical applications in medicine, agriculture, and food science. This article explores three diverse applications of metabolomics, highlighting its role in driving innovations that impact everyday life.
Graceful Aging: The Case of Tangerine Peel
Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), or dried tangerine peel, is highly valued in Chinese medicine for its health benefits. Research on long-term storage revealed increased phenolic acids and antioxidant activity over time [1]. Using advanced LC-MS-based metabolomics, 161 compounds were identified, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and amino acids. The findings confirm that aged CRP has superior therapeutic qualities, supporting its traditional use and storage.
Unlocking the Secrets of Pu-erh Tea Through Microbial Metabolomics
Pu-erh tea fermentation involves a dynamic interplay of microbes transforming polysaccharides into distinct metabolites, altering the tea’s flavor. Genomic and metabolomic analyses have traced microbial roles, guiding improvements in production efficiency and flavor consistency, preserving Pu-erh tea’s beloved characteristics [2].
Exploring Citrus Biochemistry: A Metabolomic Approach
Advanced LC-MS-based metabolomics on Citrus aurantium L. (bitter orange) revealed 147 components, including 92 previously unidentified [3]. This detailed metabolic profiling highlights geographic variations in compound profiles, informing nutritional science and exploring new uses for Citrus aurantium in functional foods.
Metabolomics reshapes our understanding of chemical interactions in biological systems, unveiling potentials for drug safety, food quality, and nutritional value. This cross-disciplinary approach offers practical benefits, from safer drugs to tastier, healthier foods, contributing to our pursuit of health and well-being.
*Notes: This article provides research teasers for each reference to showcase the novelties
References
[1] X. Bian et al., “Dynamic changes of phenolic acids and antioxidant activity of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium during aging processes,” Food Chemistry, vol. 373, p. 131399, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131399.
[2] X. Bian et al., “Microbiota drive insoluble polysaccharides utilization via microbiome-metabolome interplay during Pu-erh tea fermentation,” Food Chemistry, vol. 377, p. 132007, May 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.132007.
[3] W. Miao et al., “Polarity-extended composition profiling via LC-MS-based metabolomics approaches: A key to functional investigation of Citrus aurantium L,” Food Chemistry, vol. 405, p. 134988, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134988.
